Hudson D.A., Adams K.G., Van Huyssteen A., Martin R., Huddleston E.M.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Orthopaedic Hip and Knee Surgery, Panorama Medi-Clinic, Cape Town, South Africa; Advanced Wound Management Division, Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd, Hull, United Kingdom
Hudson, D.A., Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Adams, K.G., Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Van Huyssteen, A., Orthopaedic Hip and Knee Surgery, Panorama Medi-Clinic, Cape Town, South Africa; Martin, R., Advanced Wound Management Division, Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd, Hull, United Kingdom; Huddleston, E.M., Advanced Wound Management Division, Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd, Hull, United Kingdom
The aim of this study was to evaluate a prototype negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system that has been developed to simplify NPWT for wounds at the lower end of the acuity scale. The new device has a single preset pressure of -80mmHg, is single use and operates without an exudate canister. The disposable NPWT system (PICO™) was tested in a prospective, non-comparative, multicentre clinical trial to assess device functionality and clinical acceptance. Twenty patients were recruited for a maximum treatment period of 14days. The NPWT devices were fitted with data log chips to enable longitudinal assessment of negative pressure and leak rates during therapy. Sixteen (80%) patients had closed surgical wounds, two (10%) patients had traumatic wounds and two (10%) patients received meshed split thickness skin grafts. The mean study duration was 10·7days (range: 5-14days) and the mean dressing wear time per individual patient was 4·6days (range: 2-11). Fifty-five percent of wounds had closed by the end of the 14-day study or earlier, with a further 40% of wounds progressing to closure. Real-time pressure monitoring showed continuous delivery of NPWT. Three cases are discussed representing different wound locations and different patient factors that can increase the risk of post-surgical complications. Clinical studies of the disposable NPWT system confirmed the ability of the simplified single-use device to function consistently over the expected wear time. The anticipated reduced costs, ease of use and increased mobility of patients using this system may enable NPWT benefits to be available to a greater proportion of patients. © 2013 The Authors.
adult; aged; Article; clinical article; clinical evaluation; clinical study; clinical trial; female; high risk patient; hospital patient; human; longitudinal study; male; middle aged; multicenter study; outpatient care; patient monitoring; postoperative complication; priority journal; prospective study; rating scale; risk factor; split thickness skin graft; surgical wound; vacuum assisted closure; vacuum assisted closure device; wound closure; wound healing; case report; devices; disposable equipment; equipment design; pathology; suturing method; treatment outcome; vacuum assisted closure; Wounds, Penetrating; Adult; Aged; Disposable Equipment; Equipment Design; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; Prospective Studies; Suture Techniques; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing; Wounds, Penetrating