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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Development of a Benchtop Model for Evaluating the Compatibility of Wound Dressing Materials with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems
Published on: May 2, 2025
Negative pressure wound therapy use: recommendations from a South African panel of experts
Ethel Andrews1, Fébé Bruwer2, Jacques Goosen3,4
1Nursing Education, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Objective:
The South African patient population is complex, with elevated traumatic injury rates and individuals living with multiple comorbidities. Healthcare provider and funding shortages, as well as wound care training not being a recognised subspecialty, have added to the burden of an already pressured South African healthcare system. With increases in non-specialist clinicians providing wound care, South Africa-specific wound care guidelines are needed.
Method:
An in-person meeting was held with wound care experts across South Africa to develop treatment recommendations for the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)-based systems. The publication panel convened on 8-9 December 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group of 14 panel members, including surgeons, wound care nurses and nurse practitioners, discussed clinical evidence regarding NPWT-based system use, followed by the development of a therapy-use algorithm.
Results:
Panel members recommended NPWT use for both simple/low-risk and complex/large/high-risk wounds. NPWT with instillation and dwell time was recommended for both simple and complex wounds requiring cleansing. NPWT or closed incision negative pressure therapy use was recommended, as needed, following wound closure as per the reconstructive ladder.
Conclusion:
Limited published evidence supporting the use of NPWT-based systems exists for South Africa. These panel recommendations are a starting point and should be revised as more clinical evidence on NPWT-based system use within South Africa is published.
