Negative Pressure Wound Therapy NPWT Machine and DressingNegative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a therapeutic technique using a vacuum dressing to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds and enhance healing of second- and third-degree burns. The therapy involves the controlled application of sub-atmospheric pressure to the local wound environment,using a sealed wound dressing connected to a vacuum pump. The use of this technique in wound management increased dramatically over the 1990s and 2000s and a large number of studies have been published examining NPWT. NPWT appears to be useful for diabetic ulcers and management of the open abdomen (laparotomy) but further research is required for other wound types.
Contraindications for NPWT use include:Malignancy in the wound
Untreated osteomyelitis
Non enteric and unexplored fistulas
Necrotic tissue with eschar present
Exposed blood vessels, anastomotic sites, organs and nerves in the periwound area (must avoid direct foam contact with these structures)