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A novel option in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for chronic and acute wound care
Burns, 04/20/2012
Rahmanian–Schwarz A et al. – After a long period of preserving a monopoly market position of the V.A.C. system, a new comparable option was successfully tested in this preliminary study. The polyurethane foam–based NPWT system is an efficient and cost–effective alternative NPWT system, which was effectively implemented in therapeutic management of different kinds of wounds.
Methods- 42 patients with an acute or chronic wound were randomly assigned to either treatment by V.A.C. (group A) or therapy with an alternative newly available polyurethane foam-based NPWT system (RENASYS GO– F/P, Smith & Nephew GmbH) (group B).
- In both groups NPWT was applied after surgical debridement to prepare the wound bed for skin grafting.
- After skin grafting NPWT was applied additionally to secure skin grafts and improve grafts survival.
- Primary outcome measures were the time to complete healing (days) and duration of the NPWT application (days).
- Secondary outcome measures were the number of dressing changes and reported complications.
- In addition, the authors evaluated the cost-benefit in the clinical implementation.
- There were no significant differences comparing the investigated parameters between both groups.
- Especially average time to complete healing and average time NPWT was applied did not differ (p>0.05).
- No complications occurred in either group.
- By an almost identical supply agreement of both providers for the hospital RENASYS system appeared to be more cost-effective.
