Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for Lower-Extremity Surgical Wounds

In wounds healing by secondary intention, NPWT offered no benefit compared with standard wound care.

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT), introduced in the 1990s and offering the convenience of less-frequent dressing changes, has been used increasingly to manage open wounds that are healing by secondary intention. However, data to support NPWT's ability to reduce healing times and information on complications are sparse. In this multicenter U.K. trial, 686 adults with open surgical wounds were randomized to receive either NPWT or standard wound care. Patients were followed for as long as 12 months.

Most patients had lower-extremity wounds (90%), and 80% had diabetes. Median time to wound healing was not statistically different between the NPWT group and the usual-care group (187 vs. 195 days, respectively). Adverse events and complicatio…

Reviewing Author

Nolan J. Mischel, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Nolan J. Mischel, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for Lower-Extremity Surgical Wounds

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Reviewing Author