To help your skin ulcer heal, your doctor may also remove dead tissue from the wound. This is called debridement.
With debridement, your doctor removes any dead or
poorly healing tissue from the surface of a skin ulcer.
Debridement methods include:
allowing the damaged or dead tissue to degenerate on its own by keeping the
wound covered and moist. This may be done with dressings such as gels, foams,
or films placed under a compression bandage.
Chemical debridement, breaking down dead tissue with an enzyme debriding agent.
Mechanical debridement, using gauze or using ultrasound and a saline mist.
Surgical debridement, using
a scalpel or scissors to remove dead tissue.
ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Thomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerMargaret Doucette, DO - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wound Care, Hyperbaric Medicine