Background: Surgical debridement is the gold standard treatment for complex wound infections, but the extent of debridement remains a discussion with bias amongst surgeons and institutions.[1] Purpose: This review investigates existing research for evidence-based recommendations regarding extent of surgical debridement of infected wounds that yields optimal outcome and recovery for patients. Method: A comprehensive literature search was performed using academic databases Google Scholar and PubMed with keywords surgical debridement, extent, tissue removal and outcome. The thirty most relevant articles were analysed. Conclusion: Traditional teaching advocates “debridement to healthy, bleeding, viable tissue” but this principle can be nuanced and difficult to apply in complex intraoperative settings where anatomy is distorted. Perfusion assessment technology, such as indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, may improve accuracy of debridement, however, it is not cost effective and may not be universally available.[2] Additionally, excessive debridement can be detrimental, resulting in large defects, difficult reconstruction and poorer functional outcomes. Modern surgical practice emphasises a balanced approach to determining the appropriate extent of debridement using clinical judgement, perfusion assessment, histopathology, imaging and infection control to optimise patient outcomes. References 1.Langit, M. B. et al (2023). Surgical debridement in long bone chronic osteomyelitis: is wide tumour-like resection necessary?. Bone & joint open, 4(8), 643–651 2.Anghel, E.L. et al (2016). Current Concepts in Debridement: Science and Strategies. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 138(3S):p 82S-93S