Facilitate wound healing. Remove dead tissue and eschar. Wound that does not heal in 18-21 days requires grafting. Early wound closure reduces pain, length of stay, wound infection, risk of infection, risk of scarring, medical complications. Monitor for increased compartment syndrome from eschar.
Eschar is necrotic tissue composed of denatured collagen and elastin and protein.
Eschar favors wound infection and delay healing. Debridement removes the devitalized tissue and provide a viable base for wound healing and grafting. Debridement can be done with mechanical, enzymatic and surgical. Enzymatic reduce need for surgical debridement. Disadvantages are increase pain and fluid loss.