Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Learn more about negative pressure wound therapy and how it can expedite your healing at Innovative Wound Care Specialists.
Negative pressure wound therapy, or vacuum-assisted therapy, is a wound treatment that uses suction to aid wound healing by reducing fluid buildup and bacteria. NPWT is commonly used to promote the healing process for different kinds of wounds from closed surgical incisions to diabetic foot ulcers. By incorporating negative pressure, there is a reduced risk of complications, more blood flow to the wound, and increased oxygen and nutrients for the wound.
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How Does Negative Pressure Wound Therapy work?
Negative pressure wound therapy is used to create a better healing environment by:
- Increasing blood flow to the area
- Reducing swelling
- Keeping the wound clean
- Creating a moist and warm environment
- Draining excess fluid
- Drawing wound edges together
With the environment created through NPWT, the cells around the wound have more resources and an improved atmosphere for healing. By vacuuming out waste products and increasing blood flow, the cells around your wound have the nutrients they need to heal while all the waste produced is quickly removed. The airtight seal over the cleaned wound also decreases the risk of infection, which makes it a great treatment option to supplement the healing process of other wound treatments.
When a patient has a difficult wound, NPWT is used to aid the healing process. Difficult wounds include:
- Recent traumatic wounds
- Chronic wounds
- Slow-healing wounds
- Skin grafts
- Large wounds
- Reopened wounds
There are cases where NPWT is not beneficial based on the type of wound. If your wound has visible organs or blood vessels, cancerous tissue, or dead tissue, you should seek out an alternative treatment method.
Negative pressure wound therapy shortens your hospital stay because it allows stubborn wounds to heal faster in a controlled environment. Fewer dressing changes are needed with NPWT, with most changes needed 48 to 72 hours apart. The vacuum pump is portable, which also makes it easier to get patients home sooner. A patient or caregiver can be trained to handle dressing changes for patients using the treatment at home, or patients can go to a designated clinic to have a professional change the dressing.
Reduced Healing Time: The vacuum created through NPWT makes it easier to heal by bringing the edges of your wound closer together in a monitored environment.
Adaptable Dressing Changes: Dressings can be changed at home or at a clinic every 48 to 72 hours, meaning you can spend less time at the hospital.
Higher Blood Flow: NPWT vacuums out waste products from your wound and increases blood flow in the area, giving your cells the nutrients they need to heal your body.
Reduced Risk of Infection: Thanks to the vacuum seal created during NPWT, you have a reduced risk of infection because outside bacteria cannot get in and healthy bacteria has an ideal atmosphere to grow in underneath the dressing to promote healing.
While undergoing NPWT, your doctor will cover your wound and prepare the vacuum pump. The pump will either run on a cycle or constantly based on the type of pump you have, and you can expect the dressing to be changed as frequently as once a day.
Your provider may also prescribe you pain medication along with your NPWT to help manage pain from dressing changes. If you experience pain outside of dressing changes, make sure to speak with your doctor. Other symptoms you should watch out for are fever, increased swelling, or blood/blood clots in the drainage tube or pump.
NPWT can have a different timeline for each person based on the size of the wound and how fast the wound heals. Treatments can last multiple weeks or months, during which time you will need to take the pump with you everywhere you go.
To help NPWT work most effectively, you may have to make some lifestyle changes. Getting the appropriate amount of rest, eating healthily, and avoiding smoking can help your body heal faster.
Negative pressure wound therapy is usually performed in an operating room because most wounds require debridement and cleaning before any treatment can be applied. Here are the steps for NPWT:
- Clean and dry the wound
- Place a foam/gauze dressing over the wound
- Create an airtight seal with an see-through adhesive film
- Secure the suction tube leading from underneath the film
- Attach the tube to the portable vacuum pump to collect any drainage while the pump removes the air pressure around the wound
If you have had your wound for over a month and it has not decreased in size by at least 50%, or if it becomes infected, you should consider seeking professional assistance for your wound. A wound that is draining fluid, has a foul odor, or is very painful may be infected and requires medical attention. Other worrisome symptoms include fever and increasing swelling or redness around the wound.
Please consult your healthcare provider if you suspect you may need negative pressure wound therapy.
As with any medical treatment, there are side effects you may experience with NPWT. Side effects of NPWT include:
- Bleeding
- Wound infection
- Pain
- Foam/gauze sticking to the wound
- Allergic reaction to materials
- Device failure (Low battery, blocked tube, incorrect setup, etc.)
If you experience any of these side effects, make sure to talk to your doctor to have them treated to prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
To decide if NPWT is right for you, reach out to your regular healthcare provider. For NPWT to work, you will need a trained professional to handle the preparation of your wound and the vacuum application.
If you need Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Innovative Wound Care Specialists are ready to help you with your healing process. Contact us to set up your appointment today.
Contact us by phone (810) 600-2030 or email info@innovativewoundspecialists.com and our friendly staff will assist you every step of the way. Don’t delay your healing process any further and start your Negative Pressure Wound Therapy today!
