Novel, self-made and cost-ective technique for closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy

Maciej Grajek,Dominik Walczak ,Mirosław Dobrut,Piotr Drozdowski,Rafał Ulczok,T. Palka ,Łukasz Krakowczyk,Adam Maciejewski,Marcin Zeman,Mathias Kalkum,Karolina Donocik

doi:10.18487/npwtj.v7i1.56

Abstract

Background: It has been suggested that applying the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to a closedsurgical incision may hasten the healing of the incision and decrease the incidence of wound healing complications. The goal of this study is to present the new idea of a simple, self-made, low-cost wound vacuum dressing for closed-incision NPWT that may become an alternative to currently manufactured medicalindustry products.Method: We designed a simple dressing for closed-incision NPWT from gauze pads, polyurethane adhesive film, stoma paste, and a drain tube. Negative pressure was created using a standard 50 ml syringe connected to the drain. First, the dressing was applied to the wound model and on the healthy volunteer. Finally, the dressing was applied to 10 patients after low anterior rectal resection. The vacuum dressing was left in place for 3 days, then changed and placed once more for the next 3 days.Results: We did not observe any adverse effects associatedwith the dressing. All postoperative wounds healed properly. 18 out of 20 dressings were still air-tight 72h post-placement.Conclusions: This simple, self-made dressing for NPWT is safe and effective and may decrease the wound infection rate. However future studies are needed to confirm that hypothesis.

Highlights

N EGATIVE Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is an accepted way of treating chronic wounds or supporting skin grafts
All postoperative wounds healed properly. 18 out of 20 dressings were still air-tight 72h post-placement. This simple, self-made dressing for NPWT is safe and effective and may decrease the wound infection rate
It has been suggested that applying NPWT to a closed surgical incision may hasten the healing of the incision and decrease the incidence of complications, such as infection or wound dehiscence.[1]

Summary

Introduction

N EGATIVE Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is an accepted way of treating chronic wounds or supporting skin grafts. There is an emerging body of literature describing a novel application of NPWT to surgical incisions healing by primary intention. It has been suggested that applying NPWT to a closed surgical incision may hasten the healing of the incision and decrease the incidence of complications, such as infection or wound dehiscence.[1] these systems are quite expensive, making their usage limited in developing countries. This paper presents a novel method of simple, self-made, low-cost wound vacuum dressing that may become an alternative to commercially available medical products. This work did not receive any financial support

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