Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Autolytic Wound Debridement
Autolytic Wound Debridement
Autolytic wound debridement is treatment to help remove dead tissue from a wound. This helps the wound heal. A bandage (dressing) is used to help your body’s white blood cells remove damaged tissues from your wound without harming healthy tissue. Autolytic debridement is the most conservative type of debridement. This allows your body to repair the wound by growing more healthy tissue.
Tell a healthcare provider about:
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Any allergies you have.
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All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal medicines, eye drops, creams and over-the-counter medicines.
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Any blood disorders you have.
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Any surgeries you have had.
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Any problems you or family members have had with anaesthetics.
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Any medical conditions you have or have had.
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Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
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Infection.
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Bleeding.
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Allergic reactions to an ingredient in the dressing.
What happens during treatment?
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Your healthcare provider will clean (irrigate) your wound with a solution. This is usually done with a germ-free (sterile) saline solution, which is made of salt and water, or other solution made to clean wounds. The solution will flush the wound to remove any debris, bacteria, or dead tissue.
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Your healthcare provider will then select and apply the right dressing for your wound. Some dressings may have ingredients that kill bacteria, and add additional moisture to or remove excess moisture from the wound bed.
Autolytic debridement occurs while the dressing is applied. The dressing that is helping this process occur will be used with each dressing change. Your healthcare provider will decide how often the dressing needs to be changed.
What can I expect after treatment?
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Soreness or pain.
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Light bleeding.
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Skin irritation.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your healthcare provider.
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If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take it as instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Wound care
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Follow instructions from your healthcare provider about:
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How to take care of your wound.
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When and how you should change your dressing.
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When you should remove your dressing. If your dressing is dry and stuck, moisten or wet the dressing with saline solution or water, so that it can be removed without harming your skin or wound tissue.
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser.
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Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
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More redness, swelling, or pain.
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More fluid or blood.
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Warmth.
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Pus.
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A bad smell coming from your wound even after you clean it.
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General instructions
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Eat a healthy diet with lots of protein, which includes foods such as meats, cheese, nuts, and beans and protein supplement drinks. Ask your healthcare provider to suggest the best diet for you.
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your healthcare provider.
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Do not take baths, swim or use a hot tub until your healthcare provider approves. Ask your healthcare provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
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Return to your normal activities as instructed by your healthcare provider. Ask your healthcare provider what activities are safe for you.
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Keep all follow-up appointments. This is important.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
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You have a fever.
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Your painkiller is not helping.
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You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
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You have more fluid or blood coming from your wound.
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Your wound feels warm to the touch.
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You have pus coming from your wound.
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You have a bad smell coming from your wound even after you clean it.
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Your wound is not getting better after 1–2 weeks of treatment.
Summary
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Autolytic wound debridement is a treatment to help remove dead tissue from a wound. This helps the wound heal.
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Follow instructions from your healthcare provider about how to take care of your wound and when and how you should change your bandage (dressing).
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Contact a healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection in or around your wound.
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Contact a healthcare provider if your wound is not getting better after 1–2 weeks of treatment.
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Keep all follow-up appointments. This is important.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
