Secondary wound closure with anew transparent negative-pressure dressing.

Abstract

Secondary healing surgical wounds can be treated with negative-pressure therapy. Dressing changes can be painful due to the strong adherence of the polyurethane foam placed in the wound. After debridement and conditioning of the wound bed, secondary surgical wound closure with asurgical suture can be performed. Cutaneous negative-pressure therapy is used preventively after primary surgical suturing. Descriptions for secondary wound closure without asurgical suture are not known to date. The preparation and handling of an innovative transparent dressing for the cutaneous application of negative-pressure therapy is demonstrated here. The dressing assembly consists of atransparent drainage film and atransparent occlusion film. Negative pressure is applied via atubing connector using anegative pressure pump. Anew method of secondary wound closure using the transparent negative-pressure dressing is presented based on acase example. The treatment cycle with instructions for making the dressing is shown in avideo.