What Is a Sharp Debridement?

Sharp debridement is a minor surgical procedure performed to assist wound healing. It eliminates dead tissue to promote healing, manage infection and control odor.

Facts

• Debridement is the removal of dead tissue or foreign material from and around a wound to improve healing. A sharp debridement involves cutting away tissue with a scalpel or scissors.

Use

• Sharp debridement is typically a minor bedside procedure. It's employed in urgent cases involving deep tissue damage and painful wounds.

Types

• Other forms of debridement include mechanical debridement, which uses whirlpools, spray guns, compresses, syringes or catheters; autolytic debridement, which employs a gradual softening of tissue; enzymatic debridement, which features enzyme treatments; and biodebridement, which uses sterile fly maggots to digest dead tissue.

Benefits

• A sharp debridement can be highly selective, eliminating precise amounts of tissue. It also provides faster results than other forms of debridement.

Considerations

• Due to the instruments involved and the required skill, a sharp debridement should only be performed by a trained practitioner. It may require anesthesia or pain control to limit discomfort during the procedure.