What is Enzymatic Wound Debridement
Enzymatic wound debridement is a treatment to remove dead tissue from a wound. This helps the wound heal.
This treatment uses an ointment or spray that contains proteins (enzymes) that dissolve the dead tissue over time. This allows your body to repair the wound by growing more healthy tissue.
Depending on the wound, this treatment may be used along with another method of removing dead tissue (debridement),such as:
- Surgical debridement.
- Autolytic debridement. This means using your body’s own fluids to remove dead tissue.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Pain around the wound.
What happens before the procedure?
- You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
What happens during the procedure?
- To lower your risk of infection, your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
- Your wound will be cleaned (irrigated) with a solution. This is usually done with a germ-free salt-water (saline) solution. The solution will rinse out (flush) the wound to remove bacteria, dead tissue, or dirt and debris.
- The enzyme ointment or spray will be applied to the wound.
- The wound will be covered with a bandage (dressing).
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- You may be given medicine for pain.
- You will need to reapply the enzyme ointment to the wound. Your health care provider will show you how to reapply the ointment and the dressing.
- You may be given antibiotic medicine. If antibiotic medicine was started before your procedure, you may continue to receive it.
Summary
- Enzymatic wound debridement is a treatment to remove dead tissue from a wound.
- This treatment uses an ointment or spray that contains proteins (enzymes) that dissolve the dead tissue over time.
- Depending on the wound, this treatment may be used along with another method of removing dead tissue (debridement).
- You will need to reapply the enzyme ointment to the wound. Your health care provider will show you how to reapply the ointment and the dressing.
- You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
Enzymatic Wound Debridement, Care After
This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure?
After the procedure, it is common to have:
- Pain or soreness.
- Stiffness.
- Some leaking of fluid from the wound.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider.Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Wound care
- Follow
instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your
wound. Make sure you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
- Reapply the enzyme ointment or spray as told by your health care provider.
- Check
your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- Redness, swelling, or more pain.
- Blood or more fluid.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
General instructions
- Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
- Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of protein. Healthy sources of protein include nuts, whole grains, and lean meats. Ask your health care provider to suggest the best diet for you.
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have a fever.
- You have pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.
- You have redness or swelling around your wound.
- You have blood or more fluid coming from your wound.
- Your wound or the area around it feels warm to the touch.
- You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
- Your wound is not getting better within 1–2 weeks of treatment.
- You develop a new medical condition, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or a condition that affects your body’s defense (immune) system.
Get help right away if:
- You have severe pain that does not get better with medicine.
- You have shortness of breath.
- You feel confused.
- You have clammy or sweaty skin for no known reason.
Summary
- After the procedure, it is common to have pain and soreness, stiffness, and some leaking of fluid from the wound.
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.
- Reapply enzyme ointment or spray as told by your health care provider.
- Check your wound every day for signs of infection.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider.Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
