debridement

Indications: - removal of foreign material & necrotic tissue or damaged tissue Procedure: - various methods can be used for this purpose: - autolytic debridement. - use of synthetic dressings to cover a wound & allow eschar to self-digest by the action of enzymes present in wound fluids - enzymatic (chemical) debridement - topical application of proteolytic enzymes to breakdown devitalized tissue - mechanical debridement. - removal of foreign material & devitalized or contaminated tissue from a wound by physical forces rather than by chemical (enzymatic) or natural (autolytic) forces - examples are wet-to-dry dressings, wound irrigation, whirlpool, & dextranomers - sharp debridement - removal of foreign material or devitalized tissue by a sharp instrument such as a scalpel. - Laser debridement is also considered a type of sharp debridement

Specific

debridement for eczema/skin infection debridement of bone debridement of muscle/fascia debridement of necrotizing soft tissue infection debridement of skin partial thickness debridement of subcutaneous tissue nail debridement sternal debridement

References

- Prescriber's Letter 15(5): 2008 Comparison of Chronic Wound Care Products Detail-Document#: 240511 (subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com