I&D vs. I&D

[kool-aide, RN]

Okay, kids, at work this past weekend had a spinal surgery pt go to surgery to have an I&D d/t post op infection. I was under the impression that I&D stood for irrigation and debridement, but the nursing staff on the floor I was working on that night claimed that it stood for Incision and Drainage. I googled it and these titles seem to be synonymous. Which way is correct?

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Incision and drainage - - not the same as debridement, which is the mechanical removal of debris, hence debridement. I&D is used when the area is fluid-filled; could be purulent fluid.

Also, debridement is frequently done on a recurrent basis, as in wet-to-dry dressings, or repeated procedures to remove eschar from a burned area or decubitus.

I can see the confusion.

Yeah, I learned that debridement can be mechanical or chemical. Totally different animals :) I forget the name of the old standby ointment we'd use with Bactroban on wounds.