What it means
Cleaning a wound of tissue that is no longer alive (necrosisneh-KROH-sisThe death of cells or tissue in a part of the body.necr/o death-osis conditionFull entry tissue), such as slough or eschar, so healthy tissue can grow. Methods include sharp or surgical (cutting it away), mechanical (such as wound irrigation), enzymatic (an ointment with enzymes that break the tissue down), autolytic (moist dressings that let the body's own enzymes do it) and biological (medical maggots).
For the nurse
Give pain medicine before the procedure as ordered. Describe the wound before and after: size, depth, tissue type and drainage. Dry, stable eschar on the heel is often left alone; follow the wound care orders.
At a glance
| Spanish | desbridamiento |
|---|---|
| Also written | debride, debrided, debriding |
Related terms
necrosis
The death of cells or tissue in a part of the body.
exudate
Fluid, cells or other material that has leaked out of blood vessels into a wound or tissue.
wound healing
The body's process of repairing damaged skin and tissue.
gangrene
The death of body tissue because its blood supply has been lost or because of severe infection.