Abstract
This pilot study aimed at evaluating whether closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) has an effect on seroma formation and wound healing following forequarter amputation in dogs above 20 kg. Twelve client-owned dogs weighing more than 20 kg, presented for forequarter amputation, were randomly assigned after surgery into two groups (six ciNPWT and six controls with soft-padded bandage, both bandages applied for three days). A clinical and ultrasonographic control (newly developed scoring system) was performed at bandage removal (three days postoperatively) and ten days, postoperatively. A postoperative seroma was present in 4/6 dogs in the ciNPWT group and in 5/6 dogs in the control group. There were no apparent differences in the ultrasonographic scores or subcutis measurements at three versus ten days, postoperatively. The results of this pilot trial do not support expansion to a larger-scale study evaluating ciNPWT after forequarter amputation in dogs.
Highlights
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a wound management technique applied in human and veterinary wound care that has gained popularity over the last decades (Go et al, 2017)
Preoperative hematocrit was 38% (25-49) and 35% (27-40), total serum proteins 59g/L (47-75) and 66g/L (45-69), and albumin 26g/L (22-33) versus 32g/L (20-33) in the closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) and the control group, respectively; all were within the normal ranges
The measurements of the subcutaneous thickness were not always identical; the values presented are the average of the two observers for each location. This pilot trial in dogs undergoing forequarter amputation was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of ciNPWT on postoperative seroma formation and wound healing
Summary
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a wound management technique applied in human and veterinary wound care that has gained popularity over the last decades (Go et al, 2017). In the center of the plastic, a hole is created and a suction tube connects the foam with a vacuum device with replaceable reservoir. It has been shown that NPWT enhances granulation tissue formation when applied to chronic open wounds (Daigle et al, 2013) and decreases pain and swelling (Howe, 2015). The mechanism of action of NPWT involves removal of exudate, increased perfusion – secondary to micro- and macro-deformations due to the vacuum – and decreased tension leading to wound contraction (Scherer et al, 2008; Howe, 2015). Several veterinary studies showed positive impact of NPWT following skin and reconstructive surgeries, such as skin mesh grafting in dogs (Stanley et al, 2013; Or et al, 2017) or burn wounds (Mullally et al, 2010) amongst others
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
