Debridement of a Wound, Infection, or Burn Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are having a debridement, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Delayed healing
• Removal of healthy tissue with mechanical debridement

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Infection
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Use of steroid or other immunosuppressive medicines
• Poor nutrition
• Poor circulation
• Immune disorders

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills

• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the wound site

• Chalky white, blue, or black appearance to tissue around wound

• If general anesthesia was used—cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea and/or vomiting

• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.