Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Wound Management: A Review of Debridement Strategies and Emerging Approaches

Chronic wounds significantly impact health, diminishing the quality of life for patients and caregivers. These conditions demand substantial financial and time resources from medical teams and are often complicated by comorbidities. The following chapter raises awareness of social costs concerning chronic wounds while reviewing the most recent knowledge and strategies regarding the clinical approach to improve healing outcomes and treatment adherence. Here, traditional and innovative chronic wound management techniques are examined, including wound bed care, dressings, antibiotic therapy, and advanced debridement methods. Special focus is given to debridement due to its critical role in wound healing and functional recovery. Collagenase, a widely used enzymatic debridement agent, selectively degrades denatured collagen while preserving healthy tissue, promoting effective wound cleaning and healing. Exposing healthy tissue enhances the efficacy of complementary treatments and accelerates recovery. Therefore, targeted debridement methods are pivotal in chronic wound management, improving healing and patient outcomes. Identifying critical barriers such as wound stalling, infection, and ischemia, as well as understanding factors that influence adherence and implementing patient-specific interventions, is equally vital. Innovations in wound care formulations designed to enhance comfort, reduce infection risk, and promote faster healing are essential for improving both adherence and quality of life in chronic wound patients.