Debridement is the surgical removal of dead, dying or infected tissues and other substances from within a wound to allow for proper healing. This may be performed to address either an infected or uninfected wound that is slow to heal, and when necessary, to obtain a tissue sample for lab testing. In the process known as “sharps debridement,” the physician scrapes or cuts away the tissue using a scalpel, scissors or other surgical instrument. This process may also be done using a surgical laser. Depending on the severity, size and/or depth of the wound, the patient may be provided a local anesthetic or be put under general anesthesia during the procedure. Following removal of the damaged tissue, the wound is washed and dressed with a bandage. Beyond surgical wound debridement, other methods for clearing a wound of dead tissue and debris include mechanical debridement (which is done with a special dressing or by flushing the wound with sterile water) as well as chemical debridement (where medicine is injected into the wound) and autolytic debridement (where moisture is trapped inside the wound by covering it with a certain kind of dressing).
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