Abstract
Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used for chronic wounds, open fractures
with soft tissue defects, and coverage over split-thickness skin grafts. NPWT uniformly
draws wounds closed by helping to remove interstitial fluid, which contains inflammatory
and potentially infectious exudate that could impair healing. Recently in our practice,
we have used NPWT in cases involving tenuous incisions, such as those used to access
target structures during total ankle replacement or open repair of joint depression
calcaneal fractures, in an effort to prevent hematoma or wound dehiscence. Although
it is generally understood that NPWT can be efficacious and cost-effective for management
of a wide range of lower extremity wounds, we also believe it to be beneficial in
the management of low-energy trauma and elective hindfoot and ankle reconstructions,
and feel that it has led to decreased pain, swelling, and time to healing in our patients.
Based on our experience with ankle arthroplasty and the surgical management of hindfoot
and ankle trauma, we believe that the use of NWPT in the immediate postoperative period
is both safe and efficacious.
Keywords
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References
- An economic evaluation of NPWT therapy compared with wound dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.J Wound Care. 2008; 17: 71-78
Weinberg Group, Inc. Technology Assessment of the V.A.C. for In-home Treatment of Chronic Wounds, p 61, The Weinberg Group, Inc., Washington, DC, 1999.
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- Vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC therapy) for the management of patients with high-energy soft tissue injuries.J Orthop Trauma. 2003; 17: 683-688
- Lower extremity trauma: trends in the management of soft tissue reconstruction of open tibia-fibula fractures.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006; 117: 1315-1322
Article info
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
