USE OF NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY IN ABDOMINAL DEHISCENCE WITHOUT CAVITY FILLING: case report

Objective: To report a case of abdominal dehiscence treated with negative pressure wound therapy without total filling of the wound cavity. Method: This case report was conducted from July to November of 2014, in a general hospital in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Case Description: Patient admitted with surgical site infection with abdominal dehiscence measuring 20x5cm, 12 cm detachment to the right, 14 cm to the left, 2 cm of caudal direction and 15 cm cephalic direction. The wound progression was followed through photographic records and mensuration. At the beginning, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the wound dressing changes were performed 2 times a day with hydrofiber-silver dressing and further surgical closure of the dehiscence. After 5 days, the wound progressed with necrosis and new dehiscence, which required enzymatic and instrumental debridement. On August 8^th, the wound started being treated with negative pressure therapy with dressing change frequency of 72 hours. On August 28^th, the patient was discharged and referred to stomatherapy clinic where initiated the treatment with silver- polyurethane foam dressing, changing every 4 days until complete epithelialization of the entire wound. The patient participation in the study was voluntary with the signature of informed consent under Resolution 196/96. Final Considerations: The negative pressure wound therapy without total filling of wound cavity has promoted fast granulation and shortening of the wound treatment period.