Clinical efficacy of an alternative foam-based Negative Pressure Wound Therapy system

Objectives:  A number of options for delivery of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) are now commercially available. There is an urgent need for evidence demonstrating the clinical efficacy of these new products to enable clinicians to make informed decisions regarding their choice of NPWT system.  The objective of this study was to evaluate an alternative foam based NPWT system.

 

Methodology: A newly available polyurethane foam-based NPWT system* was used to treat 18 patients in a prospective, multicenter study with a variety of wound types including pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic and surgical wounds.

 

Key results:  Patient demographics are shown in Table 1. Mean treatment duration was 14.6 days (5-29 days). At the end of therapy, 83% (15) wounds had progressed sufficiently leading to a change in treatment from NPWT. Reductions in wound dimensions between the onset and the end of therapy were calculated. Median reductions in wound area, depth and volume of 31, 46 and 74% respectively were observed. This equated to a weekly reduction of area, depth and volume of 13, 20 and 32% respectively. Exudate level was significantly reduced between the onset and the end of NPWT (p=0.013) (Figure 1). The percentage cover of ‘beefy’ red granulation tissue in the wound bed was significantly

increased (p=0.001) and non-viable tissue significantly reduced (p=0.008) between the onset and the end of NPWT. Significant reductions in wound odor (p=0.03) were also measured.

Conclusion: This data demonstrates that an alternative foam-based NPWT system* is able to address the common treatment goals associated with application of NPWT including reduction in wound dimensions, reduction in exudate levels and an improvement in the quality of the wound bed.