Negative-pressure wound therapy is effective for peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site management in the early postoperative period

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter exit-site care is critically important for the prevention of catheter-related infections (CRIs) and subsequent peritonitis. The postoperative management of the site is particularly essential because it has an open wound that is always adjacent to a PD catheter tube. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for postoperative PD catheter exit sites. Thirty patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent simultaneous PD catheter insertion and exit-site formation were randomly assigned to receive NPWT (NPWT group) or conventional dressing (non-NPWT group) for the first seven postoperative days. The exit-site scores on the seventh postoperative day was lower in the NPWT group than in the non-NPWT group (p = 0.0049). Analysis of variance F statistic for the effect of NPWT over 180 days was highly significant (11.482595, p = 0.007). There were no statistically significant differences between the time to first CRI and PD-related peritonitis between the two groups. There was one case of CRI with relapsing peritonitis and catheter loss in the non-NPWT group. These findings demonstrate the association between NPWT and low exit-site score. NPWT can be recommended for the management of PD catheter exit sites in the early postoperative period.

Successful management of complex scalp wounds with exposed calvarial bones by customized Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT): Case series and review of the literature

Scalp wounds with exposed calvarial bones continue to be a challenge especially when no local flap options are available and no microvascular flaps can be performed. Our prospective study looked at 19 patients (14 males) where customized negative pressure wound treatment was used till the complex scalp wounds, mostly from animal bites, were covered with healthy granulation and grafted. Scalp wounds ranged from 6 × 4 cm to 17 × 11 cm in size whereas the area of exposed bone ranged from 1 × 2 cm to 10 × 10 cm. No major complication was seen, and wounds were rapidly healed.

EFFICACY OF NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY IN EARLY DIABETIC FOOT ULCER MANAGEMENT IN COMPARISON WITH ADVANCED MOIST WOUND THERAPY

Objective: To compare negative pressure wound therapy with advanced moist wound therapy in managing early diabetic foot ulcer. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Surgical Department, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jul 2016 to Jun 2018. Methodology: A total of 100 patients of diabetic foot ulcer were randomly allocated into two equal groups for the treatment with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and advanced moist wound therapy (AMWT). Ulcers were reassessed after 4 weeks for presence of granulation tissue covering entire ulcer base and reduction of 3 cm in largest diameter of ulcer. Results: Mean age of the study participants was 57.08 ± 9.99 years. 33 patients had Wagner grade-I ulcer, while remaining had Wagner grade-II ulcer. Mean ulcer size at presentation was 6.46 ± 1.71 cm. Both study groups were comparable in terms of mean age (p=0.968), wound size at presentation (p=1.000), age (p=0.695), gender (p=1.000) and Wagner ulcer grade (p=0.288). Mean ulcer size was found smaller with negative pressure wound therapy (3.46cm, p=0.061) at follow-up visits. Reduction in ulcer size ≥3cm was achieved frequently with negative pressure wound therapy technique (72.0% vs. 38.0%; p>0.01). Mean healing time was 4.11 ± 1.65 weeks which was lower with negative pressure wound therapy (3.66 weeks vs. 4.56 weeks; p>0.05). Treatment efficacy (healing in ≤4 weeks and ≥3cm reduction in ulcer) was significantly higher with negative pressurewound therapy (72.0% vs. 38.0%; p<0.01) as well. Conclusion: This study demonstrates superiority of negative pressure wound therapy over advanced moist...............