When the protective barrier of the skin is breached, a wound is formed. Whether the wound remains clean or becomes infected depends on a number of factors. Surgical wounds are usually clean unless certain systems are directly involved. These systems are the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and respiratory. When this happens, the wound is said to be contaminated. Introduction of foreign bodies and complication with intense foul smelling pus qualifies a wound to be dirty. This is when wound debridement comes in handy.
When a surgical wound is complicated by foreign bodies such as bullets, wood or metal, the affected tissues are said to be dirty since they usually ooze large amounts of pus among others signs of infection. This can happen acutely if the foreign body was originally full of harmful bacteria. In other circumstances, it may take a while for a dirty environment to occur as bacteria take time to accumulate. Removal of the foreign object needs to be timely so as to minimize the chances of dirty wound creation.
Tissues that require debridement usually are dead, smelly and extensive. This commonly happens when decomposition has been going on for too long without the necessary intervention. Early intervention and active surveillance should start with the affected persons. They need to undertake first aid measures at home and then check in to a hospital for further management on time. The role of the doctor is to prescribe antibiotics and monitor healing.
In the event that bacteria gain access to tissues, the human body responds by recruiting white blood cells to the site of injury in order to destroy the bacteria and stop further spread. The main players in this field are the white blood cells. When this fails due to one reason or the other, the bacteria trapped at the site of injury causes decomposition of normal tissues and production of pus by the very same cells intended to fight the bacteria.
Debridement of wounds can be achieved using a number of techniques. The commonest form is that which involves the use of surgical methods. Here, the necrotic tissues can be literally removed manually with the help of certain surgical equipment. Depending on how much tissue needs to be extracted, local or general anaesthesia can be incorporated. Use of tissue breakdown (autolysis) by special chemicals is another way to achieve debridement.
Removal of decomposing tissues can also be achieved through the use of larva. In this case, maggots are deposited in the dead region. The aim is to allow the maggots to devour decayed tissue leaving only the normal tissues.
New tissues are allowed time to develop once the procedure is done. The area is usually dressed with sterile gauze to reduce reinfection. If the decomposed area is too large, a graft tissue can be utilized to fill the gap. Extreme care should be given to ensure the graft takes.
The important thing to remember is that all wounds need to be given maximum attention to prevent complications. Wounds may take longer to heal for patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Sterility needs to be given priority when managing any break in skin to expedite the healing process.
When a surgical wound is complicated by foreign bodies such as bullets, wood or metal, the affected tissues are said to be dirty since they usually ooze large amounts of pus among others signs of infection. This can happen acutely if the foreign body was originally full of harmful bacteria. In other circumstances, it may take a while for a dirty environment to occur as bacteria take time to accumulate. Removal of the foreign object needs to be timely so as to minimize the chances of dirty wound creation.
Tissues that require debridement usually are dead, smelly and extensive. This commonly happens when decomposition has been going on for too long without the necessary intervention. Early intervention and active surveillance should start with the affected persons. They need to undertake first aid measures at home and then check in to a hospital for further management on time. The role of the doctor is to prescribe antibiotics and monitor healing.
In the event that bacteria gain access to tissues, the human body responds by recruiting white blood cells to the site of injury in order to destroy the bacteria and stop further spread. The main players in this field are the white blood cells. When this fails due to one reason or the other, the bacteria trapped at the site of injury causes decomposition of normal tissues and production of pus by the very same cells intended to fight the bacteria.
Debridement of wounds can be achieved using a number of techniques. The commonest form is that which involves the use of surgical methods. Here, the necrotic tissues can be literally removed manually with the help of certain surgical equipment. Depending on how much tissue needs to be extracted, local or general anaesthesia can be incorporated. Use of tissue breakdown (autolysis) by special chemicals is another way to achieve debridement.
Removal of decomposing tissues can also be achieved through the use of larva. In this case, maggots are deposited in the dead region. The aim is to allow the maggots to devour decayed tissue leaving only the normal tissues.
New tissues are allowed time to develop once the procedure is done. The area is usually dressed with sterile gauze to reduce reinfection. If the decomposed area is too large, a graft tissue can be utilized to fill the gap. Extreme care should be given to ensure the graft takes.
The important thing to remember is that all wounds need to be given maximum attention to prevent complications. Wounds may take longer to heal for patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Sterility needs to be given priority when managing any break in skin to expedite the healing process.
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