What is the primary purpose of lavage in clinical practice?

The primary purpose of lavage in clinical practice is to facilitate irrigation to cleanse the treatment site. This procedure involves the use of a fluid to wash out debris, contaminants, or pathogens from a specific area, which is essential for promoting healing and preventing infection in wounds or surgical sites. By removing foreign materials, lavage helps to create a clean environment, thereby supporting effective treatment and optimizing outcomes.

While enhancing the efficacy of local anesthetics, increasing patient comfort, and preventing infection are important considerations in clinical practice, they are not the main focus of lavage. Lavage serves a specific function in ensuring that the treatment area is thoroughly cleaned before any further procedures or interventions are carried out, which is crucial for patient safety and treatment effectiveness.