Prospective randomized control study comparing gauze-based with foam-based negative pressure wound therapy for the stage 4 pressure injuries

Abstract

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used to accelerate the formation of granulation tissue and to promote wound closure in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds. This study compared the effectiveness between gauze- and foam-based NPWT for stage 4 pressure injuries. Materials and Methods: A total of 38 patients with 48 wounds of stage 4 pressure injuries were recruited and randomly divided into gauze-based and foam-based groups. After initial debridement therapy, gauze-based and foam-based fillers were used, and clinical observations were recorded when dressings were changed, twice a week for 3 weeks. The system was connected to a 1-bottle water-seal chest drainage system and standard wall suction at 125 mmHg negative pressure. The percentages of wound area reduction (PWAR), the scores of Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) tool and the scores of Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool (BWAT) were used to evaluate wound healing activity. Results: Both groups showed significant changing trends in the wound assessments of PWAR, PUSH, and BWAT during follow-up. However, the area of healing at each clinical observation was consistently greater in the foam group than in the gauze group during the follow-up period, while the PUSH score was consistently greater in the gauze group than that in the foam group. The declining trends of BWAT were alike in both groups. Conclusion: Gauze-based therapy is noninferior to foam-based therapy with respect to PWAR, PUSH, and BWAT for stage 4 pressure injuries.