Negative pressure wound therapy overlay technique with collagen dressings for nonhealing wounds

Our clinical experience suggests that the effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy is enhanced by adding collagen alginate to the dressing regimen, applying foam over areas that are undermined or tunneled, and approximating and securing wound edges prior to applying foam.

The use of this combined technique is described in 4 cases, including 2 patients with spinal cord injury and category IV pressure ulcers and 2 patients with extensive postsurgical wounds.

Our outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of this technique and suggest that patients with significant wound size benefit from adding collagen alginate to negative pressure wound therapy and by applying foam over areas that are undermined or tunneled and/or approximating and securing wound edges prior to applying foam.