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Review
. 2012 Aug;9 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):8-16.
doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2012.01012.x.

Optimal use of negative pressure wound therapy in treating pressure ulcers

Subhas Gupta  1 , Shigeru Ichioka
Affiliations
Review

Optimal use of negative pressure wound therapy in treating pressure ulcers

Subhas Gupta et al. Int Wound J. 2012 Aug.

Abstract

Pressure ulcers (PrUs) are a challenging health concern for both the clinician and the patient. The exact incidence and prevalence of PrUs varies widely among specific clinical populations, from 0.4% to 38% in acute care, from 2.2% to 24% in long-term care and from 0% to 17% in home care. The economic impact of these wounds is impressive with an estimated cost of $11 to $17.2 billion annually in the USA. Guidelines from the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel have provided recommendations for the prevention and treatment of PrUs. Negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF; V.A.C.® Therapy, KCI USA, Inc. San Antonio, TX) has been successfully used for managing PrUs. This review combines expert opinion with scientific evidence to describe the use of NPWT/ROCF in patients with PrUs.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr SG has a consulting agreement with Kinetic Concepts, Inc. for the development of this article, and Dr SI is a Key Opinion Leader in Japan. This article is part of an educational supplement funded by Kinetic Concepts, Inc. to provide an overview of the V.A.C.® Therapy family of products for new users in developing markets. This supplement is targeted for distribution at the 2012 World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) conference.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Case study 1: (A) Full‐thickness skin breakdown on the sacrum. (B) Enzymatic debridement dressings were applied twice daily. (C) Application of negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF). (D) After 8 days of NPWT/ROCF. (E) After 34 days of NPWT/ROCF. (F) Complete wound closure 27 days after discharge.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Case study 2: (A) Stage IV sacral ulcer. (B) Post‐debridement. (C) After 16 days of negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF). (D) After 28 days of NPWT/ROCF. (E) A fasciocutaneous flap was performed.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Case study 3: (A) Sacral pressure ulcer. (B) Wound presented with extensive undermining. (C) Application of negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF). (D) After 3 weeks of NPWT/ROCF. (E) Application of split‐thickness skin graft. (F) Successful graft.
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