Dynamic management of pressure injuries using a portable canister-based single-use negative pressure wound therapy...

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) helps to reduce tissue deficits by removing excess fluid, promoting granulation tissue formation and stabilising the wound environment. This prospective, open, non-comparative clinical study assessed these factors using a canister-based single-use NPWT (CB-suNPWT) system for the management of low-to-moderate exuding pressure injuries (PIs).

This 28-day multicentre investigation assessed wound progress compared with the previous visit at which the CB-suNPWT system was applied and also from baseline to study completion. Additional endpoints included: changes in wound area and volume; tissue type; exudation (amount, nature and odour); periwound skin condition; pain levels at dressing removal; tissue ingrowth into foam; system wear time; product consumption; and therapy adherence. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded.

The study recruited 35 patients with PIs at four sites in Portugal. All were included in the full analysis group. Statistically significant wound progress was observed, with 80.6% of cases showing improvement compared with the previous visit (95% confidence interval: 72.7, 80.6; p<0.05). Improvements in wound tissue and exudate levels, type and odour were also observed, and a marked increase in granulation tissue reported, combined with reductions in wound size and volume. Tissue ingrowth into the foam was reported in only two (0.57%) dressing changes. The device was well received by both investigators and patients, easy to use and managed exudate levels effectively. A minimal number of AEs were reported.

In this study, the CB-suNPWT device promoted improvements in the wound bed, resulting in progression towards healing of low-to-moderate exuding PIs.