Wound Debridement in Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Wound debridement improves healing in a variety of acute and chronic ulcers. However, there is concern that debridement may trigger pathergy and worsen pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).

To determine whether published evidence supports conservative wound debridement for PG.

The authors reviewed the literature published in MEDLINE through January 2023 using the search germs "pyoderma gangrenosum" and "debridement."

Articles reporting sharp surgical debridement or maggot debridement for PG were included in the review. The authors also searched the reference sections of the reviewed articles for additional reports on debridement for PG.

Clinical data regarding patient status, procedures performed, and patient outcomes were extracted from the selected articles.

There are multiple reports of uncontrolled, active-phase PG wounds worsening after aggressive excisional debridement of viable inflamed tissues. In contrast, there is no evidence indicating that conservative debridement of nonviable necrotic tissue worsens PG wounds, regardless of the disease activity. There are multiple reports of successful debridement and surgical grafting for PG in remission.

There is no evidence in favor of or against using conservative debridement of nonviable necrotic tissue for a PG wound. Therefore, it should not be considered contraindicated, even in the active phase of the disease.