Mechanically Powered Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Use in Diabetic Foot Wounds

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is routinely used as an adjunctive tool in complicated diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) management.¹ Size, bulk, noise, and need for an electrical power source are all drawbacks of traditional NPWT devices.² Patients with smaller-sized diabetic foot wounds may benefit from ultraportable, mechanically-powered disposable negative pressure wound therapy (dNPWT*) that may allow a quick return to activities of daily living while receiving the effects of NPWT.

Methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed to determine outcomes of 4 diabetic patients with complicated foot wounds that were adjunctively managed with dNPWTfollowing surgical intervention. All wounds were debrided prior to dNPWT, and systemic antibiotics were administered as needed. Disposable NPWT was applied with a foam dressing to each wound at -125 mmHg and changed 3 times weekly.

Results: Age of patients ranged from 46 to 71 years old. Duration of dNPWTuse was 16-24 days, during which time drainage was controlled and robust granulation tissue formed in all wounds. Therapy was stepped down to oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen/silver-ORC dressings** as appropriate. Therapy goals, including wound bed preparation and removal of infectious materials, were achieved in all wounds. All wounds healed secondarily and there were no complications.

Conclusions: Use of mechanically powered dNPWTshould be considered in smaller-sized DFUs to expedite wound bed preparation for secondary closure following surgical intervention.