Single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Facilitated Better Surgical Wound Care

In this study, the authors — Aleksei Orlov and Amit Gefen, PhD — aimed to evaluate the performance of a canister-based vs a canisterless (canister-free) system, each with a different negative pressure setting and technology for fluid management.¹ This study, “The potential of a canister-based single-use negative-pressure wound therapy system delivering a greater and continuous absolute pressure level to facilitate better surgical wound care,” was published on January 20, 2022, with the International Wound Journal.¹

According to the authors, it has been hypothesized that continuous delivery of a specified level of negative pressure to the wound bed is important for promoting surgical wound healing. With consideration of the different technologies for fluid management, this research focused on understanding the biomechanical implications of selecting and using a canister-based suNPWT rather than a canisterless suNPWT device. The authors used a computer model, laboratory tests, and porcine model to compare these system types.

The authors concluded that portable suNPWT systems are, in concept, a good option for postoperative wound care; however, for a suNPWT system to enable the full benefits of the prescribed therapy, it should provide effective fluid management and continuous delivery of the intended negative pressure magnitude the wound requires.

In their study, they reported that suNPWT provided a greater negative pressure magnitude by delivering its projected negative pressure through controlled fluid management technology, which removed excess fluid from the wound dressing throughout the prescribed therapy. From a bioengineering implementation perspective, suNPWT was reported as beneficial. The authors noted that consistent delivery—at the appropriate level—of negative pressure to the surgical injury via the wound dressing is more likely to result in positive clinical outcomes, specifically the biomechanical value of the repaired tissues.

—Cat Urbanski, Associate Digital Editor

Reference

1. Orlov A, Gefen A. The potential of a canister-based single-use negative-pressure wound therapy system delivering a greater and continuous absolute pressure level to facilitate better surgical wound care. Int Wound J. Published on January 20, 2022. doi:10.1111/iwj.13744. doi:10.1111/iwj.13744