The following practical guidelines can be used to obtain an optimal wound environment for an incision. Debride necrotic tissue to decrease infection risk. Maintain fresh wound edges along the incision to encourage epithelialization. Irrigate copiously to clean the wound and remove foreign bodies. Irrigation can be performed with normal saline or commercial wound cleanser.
Irrigation is the single most effective technique to accomplish wound cleaning.
Absorb excess wound exudate to prevent maceration of surrounding skin. Divert any salivary drainage away from the wound to minimize bacterial contamination. Maintain a moist wound environment with topical ointments or hydrogels to encourage epithelialization. Protect the wound from trauma. In wounds with potential for infection, institute appropriate oral and topical antibiotics for 7-10 days.