Chronic wounds are at times quite difficult to manage especially if there is a lot of dead tissue. Wound debridement is the process through which this dead tissue is removed. In some cases, there may be a need to remove foreign materials such as wood, glass and metal. The number of sessions varies depending on the amount of tissue to be removed. We will look at the benefits of this procedure and the methods that can be used.
There are a number of reasons as to why a wound needs to be debrided. The first of them is the fact that healing is expedited. Dead tissue tends to trap bacterial organisms and its removal reduces the number of organisms that one has to deal with. Dead tissue also hides pockets of pus that is associated with odor and the onset of new infections. Removal of this tissue gets rid of the odor and provides an opportunity for newer tissues to grow.
The methods that may be used here include surgical (sharp), enzymatic, autolytic, biosurgery and mechanical debridement. The choice of option to be used in a given case will depend on a number of factors that include the type of wound, its position, anticipated level of pain and the risk of infection among others. Some cases may require that more than one option be used to attain maximal results.
The surgical option is among the oldest. In spite of the many advances that have been made in the field of medicine, it remains the main method of debridement. It is also the option that is associated with the quickest results. Associated side effects include bleeding, pain and damage to the surrounding normal tissues. Apart from removing dead tissues, the procedure also stimulates the release of growth factors and cytokines needed for wound healing.
Autolytic debridement is a type that can be used for a wide range of wound types. Unlike the surgical option, it is highly selective. Specific proteolytic enzymes are used to digest and breakdown the necrotic tissues. Examples of these enzymes include collagenase, acid hydrolase, elastase and myeloperoxidase among others. The main downside of this option is that it is very slow. Occlusive dressings are sometimes used to enhance the healing process.
Enzymatic or chemical debridement works in the same way as the autolytic process. The main difference is that the chemicals are introduced artificially. It is common for this procedure to be done alongside surgical debridement. The exogenous enzymes that are required are available commercially and include paparin, trypsin, collagenase and streptokinase among others. The collagenase-based option is the most commonly used and the most effective in this category.
Biosurgery (also known as myiasis) is a biological form of debridement that is achieved using fly maggots. The maggots selectively eat necrotic tissues and spare the normal ones. Since they are sterile, they are unlikely to aggravate the infection. Apart from the consumption of dead tissue, they are also believed to work in a number of other ways. One of them involves the direct killing of bacterial organisms.
Debriding wounds is an important process that expedites healing. The decision as to whether or not this procedure is necessary is made based on a number of factors that include the size, type and location of the wound and the severity of the infection. These factors are also used in choosing the exact type of debridement that will be used in a given case.
There are a number of reasons as to why a wound needs to be debrided. The first of them is the fact that healing is expedited. Dead tissue tends to trap bacterial organisms and its removal reduces the number of organisms that one has to deal with. Dead tissue also hides pockets of pus that is associated with odor and the onset of new infections. Removal of this tissue gets rid of the odor and provides an opportunity for newer tissues to grow.
The methods that may be used here include surgical (sharp), enzymatic, autolytic, biosurgery and mechanical debridement. The choice of option to be used in a given case will depend on a number of factors that include the type of wound, its position, anticipated level of pain and the risk of infection among others. Some cases may require that more than one option be used to attain maximal results.
The surgical option is among the oldest. In spite of the many advances that have been made in the field of medicine, it remains the main method of debridement. It is also the option that is associated with the quickest results. Associated side effects include bleeding, pain and damage to the surrounding normal tissues. Apart from removing dead tissues, the procedure also stimulates the release of growth factors and cytokines needed for wound healing.
Autolytic debridement is a type that can be used for a wide range of wound types. Unlike the surgical option, it is highly selective. Specific proteolytic enzymes are used to digest and breakdown the necrotic tissues. Examples of these enzymes include collagenase, acid hydrolase, elastase and myeloperoxidase among others. The main downside of this option is that it is very slow. Occlusive dressings are sometimes used to enhance the healing process.
Enzymatic or chemical debridement works in the same way as the autolytic process. The main difference is that the chemicals are introduced artificially. It is common for this procedure to be done alongside surgical debridement. The exogenous enzymes that are required are available commercially and include paparin, trypsin, collagenase and streptokinase among others. The collagenase-based option is the most commonly used and the most effective in this category.
Biosurgery (also known as myiasis) is a biological form of debridement that is achieved using fly maggots. The maggots selectively eat necrotic tissues and spare the normal ones. Since they are sterile, they are unlikely to aggravate the infection. Apart from the consumption of dead tissue, they are also believed to work in a number of other ways. One of them involves the direct killing of bacterial organisms.
Debriding wounds is an important process that expedites healing. The decision as to whether or not this procedure is necessary is made based on a number of factors that include the size, type and location of the wound and the severity of the infection. These factors are also used in choosing the exact type of debridement that will be used in a given case.
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