Use of indigenously made negative-pressure wound therapy system for patients with diabetic foot.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a well-known treatment modality for chronic, difficult, nonhealing wounds. Unfortunately, many commercially available negative-pressure therapy systems for wounds are expensive, require hospitalization, and may not be available throughout the world. The authors have designed a less expensive and effective NPWT system from components readily available in the hospital.

DESIGN:

The system is assembled from ethylene oxide sterilized polyurethane foam, transparent adhesive dressing, and a simple negative suction drain system, which is being routinely used in surgical cases. The multiple holes suction tube is inserted between 2 layers of polyurethane foam and is put on the wound, which is sealed by adhesive dressing. The negative pressure is created using a closed wound suction set. The dressing is changed every third day or as needed.

MAIN RESULTS:

The authors have used this system in 11 patients with diabetic foot. The mean time for preparation of wound for surgery with this system was 7 days (5-9 days). The raw areas were either secondarily closed or were covered with split-thickness skin graft. The mean hospital stay for debridement and definitive surgical procedure was 11 days (8-15 days).

CONCLUSION:

In the authors' experience, the NPWT system developed from off-the-shelf components reduces the length of hospital stays and therefore cost, without any compromise on quality. It leads to a quicker wound closure and reduces the need for multiple surgeries or flaps. This modification presents a simple, cheap, and effective alternative to commercially available NPWT machines.

• Authors: Hemant A Saraiya, Mukesh N Shah
• Journal: Advances in skin & wound care (Adv Skin Wound Care) Vol. 26 Issue 2 Pg. 74-7 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 1538-8654 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23337647 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Polyurethanes
• polyurethane foam

Topics

• Adult
• Bandages
• Cohort Studies
• Diabetic Foot (pathology, therapy)
• Humans
• Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy (instrumentation)
• Polyurethanes
• Treatment Outcome
• Wound Healing