Preparing the Wound Bed

Before a wound is dressed, it must be cleansed gently so as to not injure any new epithelial cells.

"The practitioner must always attempt to minimize wound trauma during wound cleansing."

For cleansing a wound, normal saline is the cleanser of choice because it is isotonic and has no toxic effects on granulating growth cells. Sterile water or non-cytotoxic wound cleanser may be used for wound cleansing.
Fluid used for cleansing should be warmed to at least room temperature.
Betadine and Chlorohexadine should not be used as they are non-selective and cytotoxic.
Irrigation with normal saline (or sterile water/non-cytotoxic wound cleanser) can be used in a wound to help loosen and remove debris. It is best accomplished with a force of 4-15 psi (ref. 60) which can be accomplished with one of the following:

100cc NS bottle with irrigation tip

35 ml syringe with a 19 gauge angiocath

Wound cleansers have surfactants that assist in removing surface slough and debris and are appropriate for wounds with a high amount of slough in the wound bed. See the following for example: