Effective wound management often requires attending to multiple aspects of the wound itself, including properly preparing the wound bed and managing moisture and exudate, among other facets of wound care. Tissue viability is another crucial aspect of wound management. Unfortunately, many types of wounds, including acute and chronic wounds, contain devitalized tissue.
Devitalized tissue inhibits healing in multiple ways. It can serve as a source of nutrients for bacteria, especially if the tissue is necrotic. Devitalized tissue also acts as a physical barrier for re-epithelialization, thereby preventing topical compounds from penetrating the wound bed when required. Further, this tissue can prevent angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, epidermal resurfacing, and standard extracellular matrix (ECM) formation. It can also cover the wound and render it difficult for clinicians to assess the extent and severity of the wound adequately.