Quick Facts - Debridement and Chronic Wounds 2021

Chronic and complex wounds are stalled in the inflammatory or proliferative phase of healing. These hard-to-heal wounds affect millions of people worldwide and impose a heavy financial burden on patients and health care systems. The goals of treatment in these patients are wound healing and limb salvage. Devitalized tissue, such as necrotic slough or eschar, is a major contributor to impaired wound healing. For optimal wound healing, necrotic tissue is often removed by debridement, with the type of debridement determined by specific wound and patient characteristics. This fact sheet contains information on chronic wounds and their treatment with debridement, including selection of an appropriate method. Wound care professionals wanting to know more about the purpose and types of debridement will appreciate this fact sheet. The following topics are covered:Categories of devitalized tissueFactors in impaired wound healingIndications for debridementDebridement methodsDiabetes and amputation riskAmputation prevention