Clinical efficacy of a new variant of a foam-based NWPT system

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new variant of a foam-based negative wound pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system.

A newly available polyurethane foam-based NPWT system (RENASYS-F, Smith & Nephew) was used to treat 18 patients in a prospective, multi-centre study. The patients had a variety of wound types including pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic and surgical wounds.

The mean patient age was 48.3 years (range 25-72). Mean treatment duration was 14.6 days (range 5-29). At the end of therapy, 83% (15) wounds had progressed sufficiently, leading to a change in treatment from NPWT. Median reductions in wound area, depth and volume of 31.3%, 45.5% and 74.2% respectively were observed over the course of therapy. This equated to a weekly reduction in area, depth and volume of 12.9%, 20.0% and 32.1% respectively. Exudate level (p = 0.013) and wound malodour (p = 0.03) were significantly reduced between the onset and the end of NPWT. The percentage cover of 'beefy' red granulation tissue in the wound bed was significantly increased (p < 0.001) and non-viable tissue significantly reduced (p = 0.008) between the onset and the end of NPWT.

These data demonstrate that an alternative foam-based NPWT system (RENASYS-F) is able to address the common treatment goals associated with application of NPWT including reduction in wound dimensions, reduction in exudate levels and an improvement in wound bed quality.