Debridement: Development of the Concept

Abstract

Debridement - the surgical excision of dead and contaminated tissue - is an important component of the management of open wounds and fractures. Key components in the evolution of modern technique of wound management were: • wound extension to relieve pressure (akin to a modern day fasciotomy) (Pare, Desault, Larrey) • antiseptic technique (Lister) and • wound and contaminant excision (Pare, Desault, Larrey, Reyher). There has been confusion over the meaning and derivation of the term debridement.