In medical practice, to surgically remove dead tissue, foreign matter, or debris from a wound to help it heal properly.
From French 'débride', from 'dé-' (remove) + 'bride' (restraint, bridle). The term entered medical vocabulary in the early 1900s, originally meaning to remove a surgical band or constriction.
Debridement is one of the oldest surgical practices—field surgeons have always known that cleaning a wound by removing dead tissue prevents infection and saves lives. Modern wound care still makes this the first step.
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