In wound care, which term is defined as the removal of dead tissue?

Debridement is the term used to describe the process of removing dead, damaged, or infected tissue from a wound. This is crucial in wound care as it helps promote healing, prevents infection, and prepares the wound bed for further treatment. By removing non-viable tissue, debridement enhances the chances of successful healing, allowing healthy tissue to regenerate and improving overall outcomes for the patient.

The other terms, while related to surgical procedures, do not specifically refer to the removal of dead tissue. Excision generally involves cutting out tissue, which may include healthy and unhealthy tissue depending on the context. Compression relates to applying pressure to control bleeding or reduce swelling, and incision refers to a surgical cut made in the skin or tissue. None of these terms captures the specific function that debridement serves in wound management.