What Happens If You Don't Debride a Wound? Risks of Untreated Slough
What happens if you don't debride a wound?
The Quick Answer
Without debridement, slough **prolongs inflammation, increases infection risk 3-fold, and prevents healing progression**. Necrotic tissue harbors bacteria, blocks cellular migration, and sustains destructive enzyme activity. Chronic wounds may develop biofilm, expand in size, or lead to systemic complications like cellulitis or osteomyelitis—especially in immunocompromised or diabetic patients.
Why We Ask This
Patients delay debridement due to pain fears or misconceptions that wounds 'heal from the inside out' naturally, not realizing necrotic tissue actively sabotages biological repair mechanisms until physically removed.
The Practical Science
Slough maintains elevated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade growth factors and extracellular matrix. Research shows non-debrided wounds have 70% higher MMP-9 levels, directly correlating with healing failure in longitudinal studies.
In Clinical Practice
An untreated diabetic foot ulcer with slough may expand from 2cm to 5cm in 3 weeks as necrotic tissue facilitates bacterial invasion into deeper tissues—whereas timely debridement typically reduces wound area by 40% within 14 days.
References & Context
Wound Debridement: Before Your Procedure - My Health Alberta"First, dead tissue gives bacteria a place to grow. This can cause infection. Second, dead tissue can slow the growth of healthy tissue."