Negative pressure wound therapy - a review of its uses in orthopaedic trauma

Sven Putnis; Wasim S Khan; James M-L Wong

doi:10.2174/1874325001408010142

Negative pressure wound therapy - a review of its uses in orthopaedic trauma

Open Orthop J. 2014 Jun 27:8:142-7. doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010142. eCollection 2014.

Authors

Sven Putnis¹, Wasim S Khan², James M-L Wong³

Affiliations

¹ Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK.
² University College London Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK.
³ Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Queens Hospital, Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Romford, Essex, RM7 0AG, UK.

Abstract

The use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) for complex and large wounds has increased in popularity over the past decade. Modern NPWT systems consisting of an open pore foam sponge, adhesive dressing and a vacuum pump producing negative pressure have been used as an adjunct to surgical debridement to treat tissue defects around open fractures and chronic, contaminated wounds. Other uses include supporting skin grafts and protecting wounds at risk of breaking down. This review outlines the current and emerging indications for negative pressure wound therapy in Orthopaedic trauma and the existing preclinical and clinical evidence base for its use.

Keywords: Negative pressure wound therapy; open fractures; trauma; wound management..