ABSTRACT
WHY DEBRIDE? Infection is the enemy of the burn surgeon. Most surgeons rely on antimicrobial topical agents to try to prevent burn wounds from getting infected. Nearly all antimicrobial agents are hindered/bound by the proteinaceous material present in burn slough, and will not penetrate a thick eschar. Apart from providing a growth medium for the micro-organisms, the presence of necrotic tissue will prolong the inflammation associated with burn injury.
