Clinical Experience of a New Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) System in Hard to Heal Wounds

Purpose: True in-use data is key in meeting the clinicians’/patients’ needs. NPWT is often used to regain control of a wound; to kick start the healing process and progress a wound. A new single use NPWT system was assessed that is designed to operate without an exudate canister and provides effective, easy to use, patient-friendly NPWT.  Methods: The new simplified NPWT system was evaluated in 3 patients. Patient A:  82 year old diabetic male. A painful non-healing wound after a partial foot amputation is restricting the patient’s mobility and sleep. Patient B:  86 year old male with a painful arterial ulcer on the forefoot, present for 1 year, and now at risk of amputation.   Patient C:  78 year old female with Sjögren’s Syndrome who had given up hope of healing her leg ulcer of 4.5 years. Results: Patient A: After 9 weeks, the wound was closed sufficiently to switch to conventional dressings. The patient is pain free and walking again. Patient B: The wound progressed to healing over 14 weeks with a concomitant improvement in pain and gradual reduction in pain medication. The risk of amputation was averted. Patient C: The wound area reduced from 50cm² to 2.5cm² over an 18 week treatment and subsequently switched to conventional therapy. Conclusions: The system showed considerable cost saving benefits for long term non-healing wounds compared to conventional therapy. It is hoped that studies of this type will allow for enhanced clinician education, patient safety and prove beneficial to facilities.