What is the term for the removal of devitalized tissue from a wound?

The removal of devitalized tissue from a wound is called debridement. This process is essential in wound management as it facilitates healing by eliminating material that can lead to infection, promote inflammation, and impede the formation of new tissue. Debridement can involve various techniques, including surgical, enzymatic, mechanical, or autolytic methods, each designed to remove dead tissue effectively. As devitalized tissue can serve as a barrier to healing and can harbor bacteria, debridement plays a vital role in restoring tissue integrity and ensuring optimal healing conditions for the wound.

Necrosis refers to the death of body tissue, which is often the result of injury or disease, but it does not reflect the process of cleaning a wound. Rehabilitation pertains to the therapeutic process of restoring function and quality of life after injury, whereas granulation relates to the formation of new tissue during the healing process, not the removal of tissue. Thus, the correct term for the action of removing devitalized tissue is indeed debridement.