Wound Debridement

To debride the wound, your doctor may first use a saline solution to clean the wound. Then your doctor may do one of these things. The doctor may use:

• A scalpel or scissors to cut dead tissue from the wound.
• A device that uses pressure to wash the wound.
• An ointment that goes on top of the wound and breaks down dead tissue.
• A special bandage over the wound to keep it moist. This can help your body get rid of the dead tissue on its own.

Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.

Wound debridement may be done in a hospital or in a wound clinic. You may receive special instructions about your procedure.

Preparing for the procedure

• If you will be having anesthesia or getting pain medicine, be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your procedure. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

Activity

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
• Avoid activities that put stress on the affected body part until your doctor says it's okay.
• Change positions often to keep pressure off your wound, and spread your body weight evenly with cushions, mattresses, foam wedges, or other pressure-relieving devices.
• If your wound is on your leg or foot, you may have to use crutches, a supportive boot, or a fitted shoe to keep pressure off your wound. If you need crutches, it may help to use a backpack or wear clothes with a lot of pockets to carry items.
• Do not shower for at least 24 hours after the procedure or for as long as your doctor tells you to. When you shower, keep your dressing and wound dry.
• Do not take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your affected body part until your wound has healed.

Diet

• You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
• Eat a well-balanced diet with enough protein to help the wound heal. Protein is a key nutrient in helping to repair damaged tissue and promote new tissue growth. Good sources of protein are milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, and beans.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
  • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• If your doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment that you put on the wound, use it as directed.

Wound care

• A moist dressing may cover your wound. A dressing helps the wound heal and protects it. Your doctor will tell you how to take care of this.
• If you had a skin graft, you may have a bandage that is stitched over the graft. Your doctor will remove the bandage and stitches.

Other instructions

• Don't smoke. Smoking dries out the skin, reduces blood flow to the skin, and slows healing. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.