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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Development of a Benchtop Model for Evaluating the Compatibility of Wound Dressing Materials with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems
Published on: May 2, 2025
Case studies of an infant, a toddler, and an adolescent treated with a negative pressure wound treatment system
Kimberly Bookout1, Shannon McCord, Kathleen McLane
1Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Insights
Negative pressure wound treatment systems (NPWS) effectively treat complex pediatric surgical wounds in infants, toddlers, and adolescents. This therapy accelerates healing and manages complications across diverse wound types in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Wound Management
Background:
- Negative pressure wound treatment systems (NPWS) are increasingly utilized for complex wounds.
- Pediatric applications of NPWS remain less documented than adult use.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases (infant, toddler, adolescent) with complex surgical wounds were treated with NPWS.
- Case 1: Infant with ulcerating hemangioma, NPWS for granulation before skin grafting.
- Case 2: Toddler with abdominal fasciotomies, NPWS for edema and drainage management.
- Case 3: Adolescent with infected sternal wound post-pectus excavatum repair, NPWS for expedited healing.
Findings:
- NPWS demonstrated positive outcomes in all three pediatric cases.
- The therapy was effective for varied wound etiologies and age groups.
- NPWS facilitated granulation tissue formation, edema reduction, and accelerated wound healing.
Implications:
- NPWS is a viable and effective treatment option for complex pediatric wounds.
- Wound, ostomy, and continence nurses should consider NPWS for pediatric patients.
- Further research into pediatric NPWS applications is warranted.
Abstract:
Three pediatric case studies (infant, toddler, and adolescent) using negative pressure wound treatment system (NPWS) in a children's hospital are described. Each child had complex surgical wounds and different goals for the therapy. The infant had an ulcerating labial hemangioma surgically removed, and the NPWS was used to expedite granulation tissue in preparation for a split-thickness skin graft. The critically ill toddler required abdominal fasciotomies for compartment syndrome, and the NPWS was applied to reduce interstitial abdominal edema and manage the excessive wound drainage. The adolescent initially had surgery to correct a pectus excavatum; when the sternal wound became infected and required debridement, the NPWS was used to expedite wound healing. The results of the NPWS were positive. Although this therapy has been used more commonly in adults, these case studies demonstrate its efficacy in several different types of wounds and age groups of children. The wound, ostomy, continence nurse should include the NPWS in his or her treatment differential as a valuable option for pediatric patients.
