Comparative effectiveness of debridement strategies for chronic lower-extremity wounds: a systematic review and network meta-analysis - Report - MDSpire

Comparative effectiveness of debridement strategies for chronic lower-extremity wounds: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

  • By

  • Guorui Li

  • Xiaoyun Zhang

  • Suiyi Liu

  • Lin Chen

  • Sha Liu

  • May 21, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Debridement Techniques

Overview

This systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis evaluated various debridement techniques for chronic lower-extremity wounds. Biological debridement was found to be the most effective for wound healing and complete debridement, while enzymatic and autolytic methods showed lower pain scores, which are preferred.

Background

Chronic lower-extremity wounds are a significant clinical challenge, often leading to prolonged hospitalization and high healthcare costs. They are characterized by impaired healing processes and are prevalent among populations with conditions like diabetes and venous insufficiency. Understanding effective debridement strategies is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

Data Highlights

Debridement TechniqueWound Healing SUCRAComplete Debridement SUCRAPain ScoreProcedure TimeTime to Healing
Biological Debridement99.5%95.7%Higher values preferredLower values preferredLower values preferred
Enzymatic Debridement83.1%70.9%Lower values preferredLower values preferredLower values preferred
Mechanical Debridement65.9%N/AN/AN/AN/A
Autolytic DebridementN/A32.2%Lower values preferredN/ALower values preferred
Standard CareN/A1.2%N/AN/AN/A

Key Findings

  • Biological debridement ranked highest for wound healing (SUCRA = 99.5%) and complete debridement (95.7%).
  • Enzymatic debridement showed favorable outcomes for pain scores.
  • Ultrasound-assisted debridement may reduce procedure time.
  • Clinical heterogeneity and methodological limitations affected the certainty of evidence.
  • Wide credible intervals were noted in several comparisons, indicating variability in outcomes.
  • Limitations of the evidence due to clinical heterogeneity should be considered.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that biological and enzymatic debridement techniques should be prioritized in clinical practice for managing chronic lower-extremity wounds. However, clinicians should remain cautious due to the variability in evidence and consider individual patient circumstances when selecting debridement methods, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights the varying effectiveness of debridement techniques for chronic lower-extremity wounds, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in clinical practice. Further research is warranted to strengthen the evidence base and refine treatment protocols. Caution is advised in interpreting findings due to variability in evidence.

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