Wound Debridement & Management

Wound debridement and management involve removing dead (necrotic) or infected skin tissue to help a wound heal. This process is vital for promoting healing and preventing infection in the affected area.

Wounds may happen due to traumatic injuries, surgical procedures, or chronic conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Significant wounds may also lead to tissue death, which can harbor bacteria that may cause more extensive infections.

At Kimball Health Services, our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Wyatt, and our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. MacMillan, provide advanced and comprehensive treatment for your wounds, including skilled wound debridement and management.

Understanding Debridement

You may need wound debridement when wounds do not respond to your immune system and are difficult to heal, often due to necrotic tissue or infections.

If the wound contains dead or necrotic tissue, debridement is necessary to remove this tissue, as it can impede the healing process and increase the risk of infection. It may be required for injuries such as diabetic leg ulcers or severe burns.

Debridement may also be necessary to remove foreign material, such as debris, dirt, or non-absorbable sutures, from the wound, which can hinder healing and increase the risk of infection.

Conditions wound debridement can help with include:

Traumatic wounds: Wounds resulting from trauma, such as lacerations, abrasions, or crush injuries, often require debridement.
Chronic wounds: Chronic wounds, including pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous leg ulcers, may benefit from debridement to remove non-viable tissue and promote tissue formation.
Surgical wounds: If there are signs of poor wound healing, infection, or necrosis at the surgical site, surgical wounds may require debridement.
Presence of eschar: Eschar, which is dry, thick, necrotic tissue, may form on wounds, mainly burns. Debridement is often necessary to remove eschar and promote healthy tissue formation beneath it.

In such situations, wound debridement is crucial because it:

Helps healthy tissue grow
Minimizes scarring
Reduces risks of infections
Enhances healing
Alleviates pain
Helps tissue regeneration

Types of Wound Debridement

The best type of wound debridement depends on your wound, age, overall health, and risk for complications.

Sharp Debridement

Sharp debridement involves precisely removing dead tissue using medical instruments, such as scalpels, scissors, or forceps. It is a quick procedure particularly effective for large wounds with extensive necrosis or eschar. The targeted approach of sharp debridement facilitates a thorough wound cleansing to accelerated healing.

Enzymatic Debridement

Enzymatic debridement involves using topical enzymes to break down and liquefy necrotic tissue within the wound. The enzymes selectively target dead tissue while preserving healthy tissue, making it useful for wounds with deep or adherent necrosis.

Enzymatic debridement is advantageous for specific wound types, such as those with dead tissue, biofilm, and granulating tissue. It is also less invasive than sharp debridement.

Autolytic Debridement

Autolytic debridement relies on your body's natural healing processes to break down and remove necrotic tissue. It involves applying moisture-retaining dressings that create a moist environment, gradually allowing the body’s enzymes to liquefy and digest non-viable tissue. It is suitable for wounds that benefit from a less invasive approach. It promotes natural healing and minimizes patient discomfort.

Mechanical Debridement

Mechanical debridement involves using mechanical forces, such as scrubbing, irrigation, or wet-to-dry dressings, to remove dead tissue and debris from the wound. This method is suitable for shallow wounds or areas with fragile tissue.

What To Expect During Wound Debridement

Before performing debridement, your doctor will assess the wound to determine the extent of necrotic tissue, infection, and other factors influencing wound healing. Your doctor will clean the wound and surrounding skin with antiseptic solutions.

Enzymatic and autolytic debridement usually causes minor pain, while mechanical and sharp debridement may cause sharper pain. You may receive pain medication when getting mechanical debridement. When getting sharp debridement, you may receive local or general anesthesia.

After debridement, an appropriate dressing or wound care medication may be applied to protect the wound and promote healing. The frequency of debridement sessions depends on the condition of the wound and the chosen debridement method. Multiple sessions may be required for optimal healing.

Recovery From Wound Debridement

Your recovery depends on the wound's severity, size, location, and debridement method used. Proper wound care is essential for a smooth and fast recovery. It helps the wound heal and minimizes the risk of complications.

You can protect your wound during the healing process by:

Changing the dressing regularly
Keeping the dressing dry
Keeping the wound clean
Avoiding pressure on the wound
Going to follow-up appointments
Eating healthy

Wound Debridement & Management at Kimball Health Services

Wound debridement and management are crucial in optimizing healing, minimizing risks, and improving health. At Kimball Health Services, we offer detailed advanced care and treatment for recovery.

In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. For appointments, call us at 308-235-1966 or fill out our online form. We're here for you whenever you need us.