Negative pressure wound therapy in orthopaedic surgery.

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Wound Care
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Skin defects are common in orthopaedic and trauma surgery.
• Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a widely used treatment modality.
• NPWT involves applying subatmospheric pressure to a sealed wound dressing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the principles of NPWT.
• To discuss the practical application and modalities of NPWT.
• To outline the indications for NPWT.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical guidelines.
• Analysis of NPWT's physiological effects.
• Examination of technological advancements in NPWT.

Main Results:

• NPWT increases blood flow and stimulates angiogenesis.
• It leads to a decrease in wound surface area.
• NPWT reduces the frequency of dressing changes, easing staff workload.

Conclusions:

• NPWT is valuable for various wounds, including post-traumatic, surgical, burns, and chronic wounds.
• Technological improvements enhance NPWT's adaptability.
• NPWT is not universally applicable and does not replace necessary surgical procedures.