Abstract

Background: Wound debridement is very crucial step for wound healing and prevention of infections complications. Traditionally, several types of wound debridement techniques have been used in clinical practice such as autolytic, enzymatic, biodebridement, mechanical, conservative sharp and surgical.
Aim & objective: Compared the surgical debridement and autolytic debridement methods for wound.
Results: This study involves selecting fifty patients suffering from acute or chronic wounds, randomly distributing them to the following groups irrespective of age, sex and etiology of wounds and then treating them with different methods of debridement as denoted by the group’s name Group I Surgical debridement group, Group II Autolytic debridement group. Male patients were predominant than female, mainly 41-60 years age groups. Discomfort reduction more in surgical group whereas pain and discharge reduction more in autolytic group.
Discussion: The choice of the debridement technique depends on type of ulcer/wound patient’s age, economic status, state of wound edges and skin, exudate and resources of the caregiver. Surgical debridement is low cost, highly sensitive and rapid acting but it can cause pain and invasive. Autolytic debridement is a painless, less invasive, less chance of infection and safe technique, but with slow action, so with high costs, because dressing are usually changed once a day.
Conclusion: Surgical debridement is the fastest way to remove the source of infection, promotes healing and helps accurate assessment of wound. Pain and discomfort are less in autolytic debridement.