Reduction of inflammation markers and edema in complex wounds with Installation Negative pressureWound therapy system

Pressure injuries in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are difficult to heal due to the location of the ulcer and multiple other factors.  On factor is elevated C Reactive Protein and decreased nutritional values.  Wound healing often is slowed due the increase of the inflammation markers which in turn have noted the lowering of nutritional labs.  Poor nutritional intake has proven to result in slower wound healing. In the case study we will provide with the teams noted findings for 5 spinal cord patients with pressure injuries in various locations. In recent application of the negative pressure with installation wound therapy our team has noted a reduction in CRP and which in turn has resulted in an increase of the nutritional lab values. The average age of the 5 patients was 47.5 and all males with a median injury years of 9.7 years, two tetraplegics and three paraplegics. Prior to placement of the installation negative pressure the mean CRP 44.95 and mean Preablumin of 14.  Seven days post placement observation of decrease of mean CRP 4.41 and Preablumin of 19.6. The reduction of the inflammation also noted a decrease in wound size.  The 5 patients were all receiving antibiotics treatment and the installation negative pressure was used to assist with improving granulation.