What is NPWT ?

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the effects of negative pressure on wound healing. These studies have shown that controlled negative pressure assists in wound healing by:

• Providing a moist, protected environment
• Reducing peripheral edema around the wound
• Stimulating circulation to the wound bed
• Decreasing bacterial colonization
• Increasing the rate of granulation tissue formation and epithelialization.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was developed in the 1990s by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. The concept was based on the mechanics of physics. The application of controlled subatmospheric pressure causes mechanical stress to tissues. Mitosis is stimulated, new vessels are formed, and the wound is drawn closed. The degree of pressure to the wounded tissue is small, but when all areas of the wound work together in an effort to close toward the center point, the effect of negative pressure becomes impressive and results in quicker healing and resolution.

Moist wound healing

NPWT applies subatmospheric pressure, or suction, to the wound bed via a suction pump attached to an open-cell foam sponge /gauze that is placed in the wound and secured with an adhesive drape. The adhesive drape helps to provide a semiocclusive environment that supports moist wound healing, which has been the standard for wound care since the mid-1980s.5 The drape is vapor permeable to facilitate gas exchange, an important consideration when treating wounds infected with anaerobic organisms that would thrive in an occlusive, oxygen-depleted environment. The foam and drape also protect the wound base from environmental contaminants and reduce the risk of friction or shear, enhancing the body's ability to heal.

NPWT Therapy Dressings should be changedonce every 48–72 hours, but no less than three times a week as directed by the lead clinician. For infected wounds, dressings may need to be changed more often.”

What are the Components of NPWT

• The Therapy Unit or the PUMP provides software-controlled negative pressure wound therapy. This is essentially a suction device/pump.
• The Canister in which the wound exudate is collected.
• Connecting Tube and Interface device which delivers the negative pressure or vacuum to the wound bed and transfers the exudate to the Canister.
• NPWT Dressing Kit
• PU Film Drape to help create & provide a sealed moist wound healing environment
• Dressings which could be any porous biocompatible material such as Cotton woven / Nonwoven gauze, PU/PVA foam which can fill the wound cavity and contract under negative pressure, providing direct and complete contact with the wound bed.
• Sealing Gel to secure QUICK & EASY SEAL for vacuum.

Hydrofera Blue PVA foam can be used as dressing material for NPWT.