What is Negative pressure wound therapy

What is Negative pressure wound therapy

Negative pressure wound therapy refers to wound dressing systems that continuously or intermittently apply subatmospheric pressure to the surface of a wound to assist healing. Negative-pressure wound therapy is also called vacuum-assisted wound closure therapy, It has become a popular treatment modality for the management of many acute and chronic wounds.

The critical importance of the wound dressing in NPWT cannot be underestimated. Commercially available NPWT systems feature multiple dressing options designed and engineered for specific wound applications.[1] An ideal construction for foam dressings used in NPWT includes options that are made from materials such as polyurethane foam, highly absorbent gel islands, and polyurethane film to provide a superabsorbent, highly breathable, and low trauma solution to manage wound exudate.

Animal studies have demonstrated that this technique:

● Animal studies have demonstrated that this technique:

● Optimises blood flow in the wound bed

● Decreases local tissue swelling

● Removes excessive fluid that can slow cell growth and proliferation in the wound bed

● Decreases the numbers of bacteria.

Additionally, intermittent low pressure alters the structure of the cells in the wound bed, triggering a cascade of intracellular signals that increase the rate of cell division and the formation of granulation tissue.

The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

1. “Negative Pressure Wound Therapy,” Intermountain Health Care, 2018