Use of domestic negative pressure wound therapy in traumatic wounds for a cost-effective wound closure

Abstract

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become a popular tool for wound healing. The use of domestic material has been reported, but it is still not completely documented. We present the use of a domestic NPWT on traumatic wounds to achieve a final minimal reconstructive surgery. We treated three patients presenting with traumatic skin loss of the abdomen, lower leg, and foot with domestic NPWT. A wall suction was used as the source of negative pressure and gauzes as interface over the wounds. We documented the size of wounds, the anatomic structure exposed, the number and the length of cycles of NPWT, and the final reconstructive procedure. The cycles of NPWT ranged 3–5 days. A good granulating tissue appeared in range 17–21 days. Exposed urinary bladder, fractured metatarsal, and fractured lateral malleolus were covered by a good granulating tissue. There was no infectious complication. All the wounds healed with a split thickness skin graft. The cost of the procedure per patient ranged from 65 to 85 US Dollars. Domestic material for negative pressure has been a reliable technique in the management of traumatic wounds and helped pass down the reconstructive ladder.