How do you Debride Slough?
There are several wound cleansing products which can be used for the safe removal of slough, and several different methods of debridement – including autolytic, conservative sharp, surgical, ultrasonic, hydrosurgical and mechanical – as well as several therapies which can be used, including osmotic, biological.
What is autolytic wound debridement?
Autolytic debridement is the lysis, or breakdown, of damaged tissue at a wound site by the body’s natural defence system by enzymes that digest specific components of body tissues or cells, e.g. proteins, fibrin and collagen (Ramundo 2007).
When is autolytic debridement indicated?
Autolytic debridement is useful where there are small volumes or superficial slough, however it can be a slow process often taking weeks to achieve a clean wound bed. This slow rate of debridement may raise the potential for infection and maceration of the peri-wound skin9.
Is Autolytic debridement selective?
Autolytic Debridement This type of debridement is a natural process by which endogenous phagocytic cells and proteolytic enzymes break down necrotic tissue. It is a highly selective process whereby only necrotic tissue will be affected in the debridement. It is indicated for noninfected wounds.
How do you Debride?
Debridement can be done with live maggots, special dressings, or ointments that soften tissue. The old tissue can also be cut off or removed with a mechanical force, like running water. The best type of debridement depends on your wound. Often multiple methods are used together.
What is Slough in a wound bed?
Slough refers to the yellow/white material in the wound bed; it is usually wet, but can be dry. It generally has a soft texture. It can be thick and adhered to the wound bed, present as a thin coating, or patchy over the surface of the wound (Figure 3). It consists of dead cells that accumulate in the wound exudate.
How is Autolytic debridement done?
Autolytic debridement uses your body’s enzymes and natural fluids to soften bad tissue. This is done with a moisture-retaining dressing that’s typically changed once a day. When moisture accumulates, old tissue swells up and separates from the wound.
What are the types of debridement?
Several types of the debridements can achieve removal of devitalized tissue. These include surgical debridement, biological debridement, enzymatic debridements, and autolytic debridement. This is the most conservative type of debridement.
How do you remove a slough from a wound at home?
Wound irrigation, the use of cleansing solutions or a cleansing pad (e.g. Debrisoft®; Activa Healthcare), or the use of dressings – such as hydrogel sheets, honey or iodine cadexomers – can be used to remove slough by clinicians with minimal training.
How does autolytic debridement work on the body?
Autolytic debridement uses the body’s own processes (enzymes and moisture) to break down tough eschar and slough. It does not damage healthy skin, but breaks down dead and devitalized tissue over time quite effectively.
Can a venous ulcer be treated with autolytic debridement?
Sloughy tissue in a venous leg ulcer. autolytic debridement should be attempted. Tendon, bone, and fatty tissue is also yellow and so care should be taken not to mistake these structures for slough since attempts to debride would be inappropriate. In some leg ulcers, calcium deposits may be present (Figure 2).
What do you need to know about debridement?
Debridement is the removal of foreign material, devitalized tissue, or contaminated tissue from the wound bed. Debridement is an important procedure that greatly affects how a wound will heal.
Which is the slowest method of wound debridement?
Autolytic debridement is the slowest method, and it is most commonly used in the long-term care setting. There is no pain with this method. This method uses the body’s own enzymes and moisture beneath a dressing, and non-viable tissue becomes liquefied. Maintaining a balance in moisture is important.
