Mechanically-Powered Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Use in Surgical Wound Healing by Secondary Intention

Background: Treating open surgical wounds can be challenging as numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors can delay healing of the incision. Successful use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been reported in several studies to help manage surgical wounds that are healing by secondary intention. Patients with smaller, low exudating surgical 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. Disposable NPWT has been shown to have similar wound healing rates and improved patient quality of life indicators compared to conventional NPWT.

Purpose: A retrospective data analysis was performed to determine outcomes of 5 patients with deep, nonhealing surgical incision wounds that were adjunctively treated with dNPWT.

Methods: Average age of patients was 67 years old. Surgical incisions were the result of postoperative hernia repair, dialysis access, exploratory laparotomy, and incision and drainage of abscesses. Each wound extended to the deep fascia. 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 twice weekly.

Results: Rapid wound volume reduction was achieved during dNPWT in all wounds, which healed secondarily during an average time of 29 days.

Conclusion: Use of mechanically powered dNPWT should be considered in small, deep incisional wounds with minimal drainage to expedite wound resolution.