Secondary wound closure with a new transparent negative-pressure dressing

Secondary healing surgical wounds can be treated with negative-pressure therapy. Dressing changes can be painful due to the strong adherence of the polyurethane foam placed in the wound. After debridement and conditioning of the wound bed, secondary surgical wound closure with a surgical suture can be performed. Cutaneous negative-pressure therapy is used preventively after primary surgical suturing. Descriptions for secondary wound closure without a surgical suture are not known to date. The preparation and handling of an innovative transparent dressing for the cutaneous application of negative-pressure therapy is demonstrated here. The dressing assembly consists of a transparent drainage film and a transparent occlusion film. Negative pressure is applied via a tubing connector using a negative pressure pump. A new method of secondary wound closure using the transparent negative-pressure dressing is presented based on a case example. The treatment cycle with instructions for making the dressing is shown in a video.