How to Perform Wound Debridement

Debridement is the process of cleaning foreign material and damaged tissue from a wound so that healthy new tissue can grow. Debridement methods vary and, ideally, include prescription products and surgical techniques that are clinically supervised and performed by trained individuals. However, dirty traumatic wounds and non-infected wounds with dead (necrotic) tissue may require debridement before medical help is available. In this case, mechanical debridement may be used temporarily. Also known as irrigation with wet-to-dry dressings, mechanical debridement is the least sophisticated method of debridement, but it is easy, inexpensive and requires no special training or prescriptions.

Things You'll Need

• Large bulb syringe
• 1 liter sterile water or saline (preferred) OR clean bottled or tap water
• Gauze squares
• Tape

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Instructions

Preparation

• 1

  Position the patient so that gravity will help drain the saline (or other flush solution) and debris from the wound.

• 2

  Divide gauze into two piles on a clean surface: one with enough to gently fill the wound and another to cover it.

• 3

  Pour saline over the first pile to completely moisten the gauze. (If using individually packed gauze, simply moisten the gauze in the packaging for a cleaner technique.) Set aside.

Treatment

• 4

  Fill the syringe with saline and gently irrigate the wound to remove loose, visible debris. Avoid touching the wound with the tip of the syringe.

• 5

  Repeat flushing procedure until saline is gone.

• 6

  Squeeze excess saline from the pile of moistened gauze, leaving it wet but not dripping.

• 7

  Unfold the damp gauze pieces and gently pack into the wound.

• 8

  Cover with dry gauze and tape the edges to intact skin.

Application

• 9

  Leave dressing intact for 8 to 12 hours. This will allow the gauze in the wound to dry and adhere to debris and dead tissue.

• 10

  Remove the dressing by lightly pulling on the gauze. (If the gauze is stuck to the wound and causes discomfort, moisten it slightly and try again.)

• 11

  Repeat steps 1 through 9 two or three times daily until a skilled practitioner takes over.