PRESSURE ULCERS-WOUND DEBRIDEMENT

SUMMARY

1. Surgical/sharp: fast, effective. Small wounds may be debrided at the bedside, larger wounds require surgical debridement in OT as they require extensive removal of dead tissue under GA.

2. This is usually required for stage 3 & 4 ulcers.

3. Autolytic: accomplished by placing an occlusive dressing over the wound and allowing wound fluid to collect under the dressing.

4. The wound fluid, full of enzymes, causes separation of non-viable tissue from healthy tissue making sharp debridement easy.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.