Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Diabetic Foot Ulcers

BACKGROUND In this study, we wanted to evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy on diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS This was a hospital based prospective comparative study, conducted among 40 patients who came for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers to the Department of General Surgery, Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, over a period of 2 years from September 2019 to September 2021, after obtaining clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent from the study participants. RESULTS The increase in amount of granulation tissue negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and saline-soaked gauzed dressing (SSGD groups were found to be statistically significant. Mean change (increase in granulation tissue in NPWT & SSGD groups) from day 0 to day 42 were 78.083 % and 66.103 % respectively. Whereas in NPWT and SSGD groups, the size of ulcer was decreased which was statistically significant. Mean decrease in ulcer size in NPWT & SSGD groups from day 0 to day 42 were 52 cm sq and 29.15 cm sq respectively. The mean duration of stay in hospital in NPWT & SSGD groups were 29.35 + 4.51 days and 32.75 + 4.75 days with p value of 0.02, which is statistically significant. Among patients with NPWT, response was present in 95 % (19) patients and among patients with SSGD, response was present in 85 % (17) patients. The association between the groups was found to be statistically not significant. CONCLUSIONS Length of stay was shorter in the NPWT group when compared with that of SSGD group. Rate of granulation tissue formation was faster in NPWT group when compared to SSGD group. Reduction in ulcer size was significantly better in the NPWT group. Patient compliance and satisfaction was better in NPWT group. Lesser number of changes of dressings were needed in the NPWT group. It could be concluded that negative pressure wound therapy helps in faster healing, better, safe, and convenient as compared to saline soaked gauzed dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.