debridement

Full Definition

The surgical process of removing necrotic, devitalized, or infected tissue from burn wounds to promote healing and prepare the wound bed for grafting. Debridement can be performed using various techniques including sharp surgical excision, enzymatic agents, or mechanical methods. Proper debridement is crucial for successful wound healing and graft take, as it removes barriers to healing and reduces infection risk.

Usage

Usage note: Note the pronunciation differs from 'debris' - the accent is on the second syllable.

In Context

• "Aggressive debridement of the necrotic tissue was performed prior to skin grafting." — operative report
• "Serial debridement procedures were required to achieve a clean wound bed." — treatment summary