Gauze-soaked with suction wall: An alternative technique for negative pressure wound therapy

Conventional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) machines, such as vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) devices, can be prohibitively expensive for healthcare settings with limited resources. This study investigates the effectiveness of a cost-saving alternative-Gauze-Suction Under Continous (GSUC)-in promoting wound healing when standard NPWT devices are unavailable or unaffordable.

Four patients at Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia, underwent GSUC as part of their wound management under the plastic surgery unit. The primary outcome was the amount of granulation tissue generated, assessing wound readiness for skin grafting, primary closure, delayed primary closure, or secondary intention.

All four patients achieved more than 75% granulation tissue coverage in an average of 15.4 days. No wound-related or hospitalization-related complications were observed. Ultimately, all wounds were either successfully grafted or closed primarily. Patient satisfaction was high, and the estimated cost savings reached at least 45% compared with using conventional VAC devices.

GSUC is a viable, cost-effective alternative to standard VAC NPWT systems, achieving comparable clinical outcomes at significantly reduced expense. Its adoption may be particularly beneficial in resource-constrained settings seeking to optimize wound care.