Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Soft Tissue Injuries of Foot and Ankle in Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Soft Tissue Injuries of Foot and Ankle in Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Soft Tissue Iinjuries of Foot and Ankle in Patients at a Tertiary care Hospital. To evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy for soft tissue injuries of foot and ankle.This will be assessed through measuring the wound surface area covered with healthy granulation tissue measured in centimetre square on follow-up.

All patients aged 18 years or above with foot and ankle trauma resulting in soft tissue injury with or without bones and tendon exposed were included in the study. 35 patients were randomized into Negative Pressure Wound Therapy group and 35 in conventional treatment group.In NPWT group ,NPWT was applied to injured area of foot and ankle after debridement and cleaning of the necrosed/dead tissue. The effect of technique was assessed through measuring wound surface area covered with healthy granulation tissue measured in centimetre square on follow-up at 10 days ,20 days and 27 days respectively. In Conventional treatment group patients were kept on simple moist gauze dressings and the wound was assessed through measuring wound surface area covered with healthy granulation tissue measured in centimeter square on followup at 10 days , 20 days and 27 days respectively.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy was applied to injured area of foot and ankle after debridement and cleaning of the necrosed/dead tissue. The effect of technique was assessed through measuring wound surface area covered with healthy granulation tissue measured in centimetre square on follow-up.

Simple moist gauze dressing applied to injured area of foot and ankle after debridement and cleaning of the necrosed/dead tissue. The effect of treatment was assessed through measuring wound surface area covered with healthy granulation tissue measured in centimetre square on follow-up.

NPWT technique was applied to injured area of the foot and ankle after debridement and cleaning of the necrosed tissue and using Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) consisting of evacuation tube, vacuum pump, collecting canister and a multiporous polyurethane sponge. VAC dressings were changed every 72 hours.

In conventional treatment moist gauze dressings were applied and change of dressings were done daily.

The effect of technique was assessed through measuring wound surface area covered with healthy granulation tissue measured in centimetre square on follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria: All patients aged 18 years or above with foot and ankle trauma resulting in soft tissue injury with bones and tendon exposed Patients consenting to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus Patients with multiple fractures

Lee HJ, Kim JW, Oh CW, Min WK, Shon OJ, Oh JK, Park BC, Ihn JC. Negative pressure wound therapy for soft tissue injuries around the foot and ankle. J Orthop Surg Res. 2009 May 9;4:14. doi: 10.1186/1749-799X-4-14.