Irrigate

What does "Irrigate" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.

Explanation

In the field of medicine, "irrigate" refers to the process of cleaning a wound or body part with a steady flow of a solution, usually saline (salt water). This is done to remove debris, bacteria, or other foreign materials that may cause infection or hinder healing. It's similar to how you might rinse a dirty dish under running water to clean it. This process is often used in surgeries, wound care, and other medical procedures.

Editorial responsibility: BaluMed.

Report excerptExplanation

Confusing Medical Report?

BaluMed makes medicine understandable! Our extensive medical report explanation 'translates' complex medical terms from MRI findings and discharge summaries into easily understandable language. With a combination of artificial intelligence and medical expertise, we offer quickly available and reliable information.

  • Extensive. Summary, explanation per section, glossary.
  • Fast & Reliable. Doctor-reviewed, within 24 hours.
  • Privacy. Documents are automatically anonymized.
  • Multilingual. German, English, Spanish or Italian.