Pressure ulcer debridement and cleansing: a review of current literature.

Optimal wound healing can only occur in a clean wound. Cleaning the wound of inflammatory stimuli such as devitalized tissue, reactive chemicals, and bacteria involves the procedures of debridement and cleansing. Debridement can be accomplished surgically, mechanically (wet-to-dry gauze), or chemically (autolysis or topical enzymes). Several recent studies are summarized that document the benefits of each of these techniques. Cleansing is the process of using fluid to remove loosely adherent foreign material. Numerous wound cleansing solutions and novel irrigation systems have been introduced in recent years. The potential benefits and harms of these products are discussed.