Using Mechanical Negative Pressure Wound Therapy to Manage Wound Dehiscence

In this single case study, the author (Robert J. Klein, DPM) treated a patient with chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) using mechanical negative pressure wound therapy (mNPWT). The treatment plan for the ulcers on the patient’s first metatarsal head and dorsal proximal interphalangeal joints of the second and third toes of the left foot is a more aggressive care plan, because 1 year of conservative care did not heal the ulcers. This study (Managing Wound Dehiscence With Mechanical Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Report) was published online with the December 2021 issue of Wounds.¹

The patient was a 67-year-old female, who was referred to the author with chronic DFUs that had not been successfully managed with conservative care; the ulcers had been present for more than one year. After some time, the patient agreed to an amputation of the first, second, and third rays of the left foot. On postoperative day 17, a small area of wound dehiscence on the medial aspect of the left foot was noted. On postoperative day 31, the area of wound dehiscence was noted to be much larger; at that visit, the author initiated mNPWT.

After the patient received 34 days of mNPWT, the wound healing goals were met, with the ulcer decreasing in size and depth. mNPWT was replaced with the use of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen/silver-ORC . At 82 days postoperative, wound closure was achieved. The patient then was fitted for diabetic shoes and custom insoles with amputation fill.

To read the full case study, click here.

—Cat Urbanski, Associate Digital Editor

Reference

1. Klein RJ. Managing wound dehiscence with mechanical negative pressure wound therapy: a case report. Wounds. 2021;33(12):E75-E78. doi:10.25270/wnds/2021.e7578