Definition of Selective Sharp Debridement

Selective sharp debridement is the surgical removal of injured, dead or infected tissue from with sharp instruments. Health-care professionals choose this type of debridement when precision is necessary in cases such as wounds not healing normally.

Reasons for Use

• Doctors use selective sharp debridement at the line where non-viable tissue meets viable tissue. It is a technique often used to remove substantial areas of unwanted tissue.

Conditions Requiring Use

• Health-care professionals use selective sharp debridement when the damaged area of tissue is extensive, if there is a thick piece of dead tissue on the skin or if there is a callous. Specifically, advancing cellulitis and sepsis are conditions that require immediate sharp debridement.

Tools

• Selective sharp debridement tools can be disposable or reusable. Some physicians prefer disposable tools because they are used for only one patient, they do not need to be sterilized and they cost less. Other physicians prefer reusable tools because there is a greater variety, they are higher quality and they can be used multiple times.