Negative pressure wound therapy: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "=Background= * Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also known as a wound vac, is a technique for treating acute and chronic wounds by using a sealed wound dressing attache...") |
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=Background= | ==Background== | ||
* | *Also known as a "wound vac" | ||
*A technique for treating acute and chronic wounds by using a sealed wound dressing attached to a vacuum pump. | |||
* The vacuum creates a negative pressure gradient that draws out fluid and increases blood flow to the area. | * The vacuum creates a negative pressure gradient that draws out fluid and increases blood flow to the area. | ||
* Often applied to wounds that are expected to heal poorly, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, or very large tissue defects. | * Often applied to wounds that are expected to heal poorly, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, or very large tissue defects. | ||
=Contraindications= | |||
===Efficacy=== | |||
* High quality evidence exists for improved outcomes in the treatment of [[diabetic foot ulcers]]. | |||
* Poor quality or insufficient evidence suggests may improve treatment of bedsores, large tissue defects, or other wounds. | |||
* There is little evidence to suggest an increased risk of complications, so wound vacs are often applied to many other kinds of wounds. | |||
==Contraindications== | |||
* Malignancy in the wound | * Malignancy in the wound | ||
* Untreated osteomyelitis | * Untreated osteomyelitis | ||
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* Presence of an eschar | * Presence of an eschar | ||
* Direct exposure of blood vessels, anastamoses, internal organs, or nerves. | * Direct exposure of blood vessels, anastamoses, internal organs, or nerves. | ||
= | |||
==Troubleshooting== | |||
= | |||
*Most ER visits regarding wound vacs will be due to "the machine beeping". This is often due to loss of negative pressure in the circuit. | *Most ER visits regarding wound vacs will be due to "the machine beeping". This is often due to loss of negative pressure in the circuit. | ||
*This can usually be fixed by re-packing the wound and placing a new occlusive dressing over it. | *This can usually be fixed by re-packing the wound and placing a new occlusive dressing over it. | ||
**May require special supplies not available in the ER. If that is the case, most patients can still be discharged if they have expedited follow up with a home health nurse or PCP that can provide supplies. | **May require special supplies not available in the ER. If that is the case, most patients can still be discharged if they have expedited follow up with a home health nurse or PCP that can provide supplies. | ||
==References== | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Surgery]] | |||
Latest revision as of 04:47, 30 October 2017
Background
- Also known as a "wound vac"
- A technique for treating acute and chronic wounds by using a sealed wound dressing attached to a vacuum pump.
- The vacuum creates a negative pressure gradient that draws out fluid and increases blood flow to the area.
- Often applied to wounds that are expected to heal poorly, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, or very large tissue defects.
Efficacy
- High quality evidence exists for improved outcomes in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
- Poor quality or insufficient evidence suggests may improve treatment of bedsores, large tissue defects, or other wounds.
- There is little evidence to suggest an increased risk of complications, so wound vacs are often applied to many other kinds of wounds.
Contraindications
- Malignancy in the wound
- Untreated osteomyelitis
- Non-enteric or unexplored fistulas
- Presence of an eschar
- Direct exposure of blood vessels, anastamoses, internal organs, or nerves.
Troubleshooting
- Most ER visits regarding wound vacs will be due to "the machine beeping". This is often due to loss of negative pressure in the circuit.
- This can usually be fixed by re-packing the wound and placing a new occlusive dressing over it.
- May require special supplies not available in the ER. If that is the case, most patients can still be discharged if they have expedited follow up with a home health nurse or PCP that can provide supplies.