Definition of Debridement

According to "Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts" by Barbara Kuhn Timby, debridement is when dead tissue is removed from a wound to promote healing. While most wounds heal on their own, devitalized tissue can sometimes impede this process.

Types of Debridement

• There are four types of debridement: surgical, mechanical; enzymatic and autolytic. Clinicians will sometimes use more than one debridement method on a single wound to provide the most effective treatment.

Surgical

• Surgical or "sharp" debridement is the use of a sharp implement to cut away dead tissue. It's usually used when there is a lot of tissue to remove; it's also needed when an extensive infection is present.

Autolytic

• Autolytic debridement is when the body uses enzymes to break down dead tissue. It can be encouraged by applying moist dressings to the wound.

Enzymatic

• Often used to treat chronic wounds, enzymatic debridement is the application of a topical ointment that breaks down the wound's dead tissue.

Mechanical

• Sometimes the top layer of a wound--which includes dead tissue--adheres to the wound's dressing. When the dressing is removed, some of the tissue comes with it. This is called mechanical debridement.

Complications

• No complications are expected to occur, but debriding a wound can result in infection and blood loss. Debridement, particularly surgical debridement, can also be painful.