Title

APWCA2009 - Apr 04, 2009

Author(s)
  with Helmut Fendler, RN; Cindy Ahearn, MS, RN, ET, CWCN, FNP-C

Presented at: Philadelphia, PA

Background
Negative pressure wound therapy has become an acceptable adjunctive therapy in the management of acute and chronic wounds. Application with variable negative pressures (Variable Pressure Therapy; VPT) is a special way of action. We report results of an open, monocentric, prospective, clinical study of 26 patients with chronic, non-healing wounds using a new NPWT device* with VPT.

Methods
From December 2006 to June 2008 an open, monocentric, prospective, clinical study was performed. Documentation was based on both digital documentation system and digital picture documentation with automated measurement for wound size. Data were collected for 26 patients with chronic, non-healing wounds of different etiologies. Specific endpoints for this study included: - easiness of use (pump and dressing) - microbial and exudation control - readiness for wound healing (granulation) - edema reduction - patients quality of life (e.g. pain profile)

Results
(n=26) The VPT treatment period totalled 1,137 days (3-142) resulting in a Mean of 43.4 days. There was an improvement or cure rate of (23) 88.5% using variable pressure therapy. {Unchanged wounds (1) 3.8%. Worsened (0). Dropouts (2) 7.7%}. Objective reduction of edema (26) 100%. Control of inflammation (25) 96.2%. Frequency of dressing changes was 3-7 days. Pain profile during use and in times of dressing change revealed None to Low pain assessed.

Conclusion
The use of this new variable pressure application technique (VPT) has shown superior clinical results, advantages in handling and in patients therapeutic comfort (quality of life) and clinical outcome. Special application technique and dressing change periods permit cost effectiveness. * PROSPERA Pro-I

References
1. Eberlein T, Fendler H, Ahearn C (2008) Using a New Technique of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) for the Management of Chronic, Non-healing Wounds. Poster Presentation. SAWC-Congress San Diego 2. Isago T, Nozaki M, Kikuchi Y et al. (2003) Effects of different negative pressures on reduction of wounds in negative pressure dressings. J Dermatol 30: 596-601 3. Molnar J (2004) The science behind negative pressure wound therapy. Ostomy Wound Manage 50: 2-5