Wound cleansing

Wound cleansing is a medical procedure performed to remove dirt, bacteria, and dead tissue from a wound. It aims to promote healing by reducing infection risk and improving assessment of tissue viability. The process may involve irrigation with sterile saline, gentle scrubbing with a fine-pore sponge, and the use of antiseptic solutions such as chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine[6]. Proper technique is critical, as insufficient cleansing can lead to infection or foreign body retention, while overly aggressive methods can cause further tissue injury or deeper bacterial inoculation[6]. Wound cleansing is a component of overall wound care, not a therapeutic molecular target.