Enhanced conformability and improved patient comfort with a new NPWT system – results from a prospective, open, non-comparative, multi-center clinical trial

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a treatment modality that has become widely adopted for a broad range of wound indications since its advent over 15 year’s ago¹. The general principle of applying NPWT to an “open” wound and changing this into a closed, contained wound usually involves: a wound filler, a suction pump, a transparent film dressing to seal the wound and a suction port/tubing to deliver the sub-atmospheric pressure and evacuate wound fluids^,2,3. Application is particularly difficult close to the anus, head and neck area, as well as in relation to some bony prominences. Recent advances in technology are leading to more portable, “patient-friendly” NPWT systems with improved functionality. 

Thirty-eight patients presenting with an acute, sub-acute of chronic wounds were treated with a new NPWT system with an aesthetically improved suction port*. 15 (39.5%) males and 23 (60.5%) females, with a median age of 43.5 years (Mean= 47.6, Range= 21 – 83). Wound locations varied and included awkward areas and bony prominences. Results demonstrated:  100% conformability on application despite 75/176 applications were applied to awkward anatomical positions and 94/176 applications were applied to a wound located in an area with bony prominence. In 98.8% assessments device was comfortable on application and 98.7% assessments, comfortable during wear. In 96.8% dressing applications, the device eliminated the need to “bridge-away”.  Results from this study have demonstrated enhanced conformability and improved patient comfort with the new NPWT system with aesthetically improved suction port.