Debridement Flashcards
What is selective debridement?
What are the three main types?
involves the removal of only non-viable tissues from a wound
Sharp Debridement
Enzymatic Debridement
Autolytic Debridement
What is sharp debridement and when is it indicated?
use of a scalpel, scissors, and/or forceps to selectively removed devitalized tissue, foreign material or debris from a wound
It is indicated mostly for wounds with large amounts of thick, adherent, necrotic tissue but may also be used in the presence of cellulitis or sepsis
What is Enzymatic debridement and when is it indicated?
the application of an enzymatic preparation to necrotic tissue and can be used for wounds that are infected or not
this debridement type is often used when autolytic debridement fails or in conjunction with other debridement techniques but can take a long time to work and needs to be removed once nonviable tissue has been eliminated to avoid damage to viable tissues
What is autolytic debridement and when is it indicated?
the use of the body’s own mechanisms to remove nonviable tissue and often includes the use of transparent films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, and alginates.
Autolytic debridement works by providing a moist wound bed that rehydrates necrotic tissue and eschar which facilitates enzymatic digestion of the nonviable tissue
This is the safest method of debridement and can be used for all non-infected wounds, however if infection is present it cannot be performed
This method does require a longer healing period
What is the fastest method of debriding necrotic tissue?
Sharp debridement
What is non-selective debridement?
What are the three main types?
debridement of both viable and nonviable tissue from a wound and is often termed “mechanical debridement”
Wet-to-dry dressings
Wound irrigation
Hydrotherapy
What is Wet-to-Dry Dressing debridement?
When is it indicated?
the application of moistened gauze over an area of necrotic tissue which is then allowed to dry and is removed along with any necrotic tissue that adhered to the dressing
Indicated with wound that have moderate amounts of exudate and necrotic tissue but needs to be done sparingly because it can damage viable tissue and can be extremely painful to the patient
What is Wound Irrigation debridement?
When is it indicated?
removal of necrotic tissue via pressurized fluid such as using a pulsatile lavage but can also remove viable tissues with enough pressure
Most desirable for wounds that are infected or have loose debris
What is Hydrotherapy debridement?
When is it indicated?
A method of soaking and providing agitation to a wound requiring debridement most commonly performed with a whirlpool tank
Not indicated very often as it has multiple side effects possible such as maceration of viable tissue, edema from dependent lower extremity positioning, and systemic effects such as hypotension
