title: An overview of the common methods of wound debridement.
abstract: There are several methods of wound debridement and the appropriate one should be chosen for maximum effectiveness. It therefore follows that practitioners must have a working knowledge of a wide variety of debridement methods and that they should recognize their own professional limitations and the need for referral for expert advice. This article aims to set out an overview of the indications, cautions and contraindications of the most commonly used methods of debridement at our disposal and to look briefly at some less often used alternatives.
authors.affiliation: Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust, Liverpool.
authors.forename: Babs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gwynne
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001329:Autolysis; D001458:Bandages; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002983:Clinical Competence; D000075202:Contraindications; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D004175:Diptera; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy; D007814:Larva; D009336:Necrosis; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018579:Patient Selection; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*