debridement
Pronunciation: duh-BREED-mahn
Surgical removal of devitalized, contaminated, or infected tissue from a wound.
Full Definition
Debridement is the surgical removal of devitalized, contaminated, foreign material, or infected tissue from a wound to promote healing and prevent infection. In orthopedic trauma, debridement is critical in the management of open fractures and contaminated wounds. The procedure may be performed sharply with instruments, mechanically through irrigation, or through other methods. Adequate debridement often requires multiple procedures, particularly in high-energy trauma cases. The goal is to create a clean wound bed with viable tissue that can heal properly and accept reconstruction if needed.
Usage
Usage note: French origin; pronunciation includes silent 't' at the end.
In Context
- "Serial debridement procedures were required to achieve a clean wound bed." — Operative report
- "The patient underwent urgent debridement and irrigation of the open fracture." — Emergency surgery note