Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Wound Flushing

Definition

Wound flushing is a method of cleaning a wound by applying pressurized water or antiseptic solutions to the tissues.

Purpose

Wound flushing is used to help flush debris from a wound, lessening the risk of infection or treating an infection that already exists. If the wound is flushed with an antiseptic, it is more likely to heal correctly; flushing the wound can help prevent the surface from healing over a possibly infected area underneath.

Description

Wound flushing is usually done in a hospital, though if it is performed at home, there is less chance of infection because of the higher risk of bacterial contamination in the hospital environment. Wound flushing is especially helpful in treating people with bites, lacerations, or crush injuries, which often become infected due to the presence of dead tissue and foreign debris, such as splinters or dirt. In a non-surgical situation, the...