Topical negative pressure using a drainage pouch without foam dressing for the treatment of undermined pressure ulcers.

Abstract

Topical negative pressure is gaining popularity as an acute and chronic wound management technique. In general, foam dressing is applied to the wound surface to maintain negative pressure. Due to the potential for clogging by the foam dressing, topical negative pressure cannot be used when there is a high volume of necrotic tissue or massive infection present. In this study, topical negative pressure was applied using a drainage pouch without any dressing. Topical negative pressure was applied to 8 patients with 9 pressure ulcers complicated by undermining. This approach was effective in the treatment of all 9 ulcers and allowed the wounds to be visualized while maintaining negative pressure. Since this technique can be performed without foam dressing, it can be used to treat early-stage infectious pressure ulcers in which there is a lot of necrotic tissue. Topical negative pressure without dressing is an extremely effective treatment of pressure ulcers complicated by undermining.