Debridement of a skin ulcer

It is common practice to remove (debride) any dead or poorly healing tissue from a skin ulcer surface. Although debridement has long been considered necessary to aid healing, it may not be useful for all types of venous skin ulcers.

Debridement methods include:

• Autolytic debridement, allowing the damaged or dead tissue to degenerate on its own by keeping the wound covered and moist, with or without special dressings. This includes:
  • The traditional gauze and zinc oxide compression bandage (called an Unna boot), wrapped around the lower leg, which hardens as it dries and can be left on for up to 10 days.
  • Dressings under a compression bandage, including gels (IntraSite, Nu-Gel), foams (Allevyn, Lyofoam), hydrocolloids (DuoDerm, Restore), or films (OpSite, Tegaderm).
• Chemical debridement, breaking down dead tissue with an enzyme debriding agent (such as Santyl).
• Mechanical debridement, using ultrasound and a saline mist.
• Surgical debridement, using a scalpel or scissors to remove dead tissue.