CASE REPORTS   

Acta Vulnologica 2014 June;12(2):101-7

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Topical negative pressure therapy in the treatment of recalcitrant wounds: clinical series from the Vascular Surgery Clinic, Rovigo Hospital, Rovigo, Italy

Mocellin S. ¹, Schiesaro S. ², Ruzza L. ³, Girotto E. ⁴

¹ Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; ² Vascular Surgery, Azienda Ulss 18, Rovigo, Italy; ³ Infermiere; ⁴ Research and Professional Development Area, Nursing Direction, Azienda Ulss 18, Rovigo, Italy

Topical negative pressure (TNP) wound therapy is an advanced, non-invasive method for the management of acute or chronic wounds. The central concept behind vacuum-assisted wound closure is the application of negative pressure on the wound bed; negative pressure values from 40 to 125 mmHg are usually applied. The objective of the study was to demonstrate how this therapy can help to reduce wound size, promote granulation tissue formation, and control exudate. Since 2008, TNP therapy has been used in the Rovigo Hospital in 29 patients (25 men and 4 women; average age, 68 years). Comorbidities were present in the majority of patients, most often lower limb arteriopathy (24 patients) and diabetes mellitus (17 patients). The mean duration of TNP therapy was 28 days (range, 4-97). The objectives were to reduce wound size, promote granulation tissue formation, and control exudate. All treatment objectives were reached in 21 patients, partially achieved in 3, and not achieved in 5. Based on our experience, we can state that TNP therapy is effective in hastening time to healing. As such, it is a valuable method for the treatment of a variety of wounds. Its use should be extended to include the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds.