The authors conducted experimental (130 rabbits) and clinical studies (249 persons) in gunshot wounds of the soft tissues. It was found that in 29% of cases, primary surgical debridement of the gunshot wound failed to be a radical intervention because zones of secondary necrosis of the tissues developed on days 3-4. In view of this, gunshot wounds must be examined without fail on days 3-5 to determine the indications for repeated surgical debridement. The indications for repeated surgical debridement are as follows: foci of necrotic tissues, unopened pockets, the presence of foreign bodies. Repeated surgical debridement of a gunshot wound, when indicated, reduces the number of purulent complications by 4 times and the duration of treatment by 1.5 times.