Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an advanced wound-healing technique that uses a vacuum pump and special sealed dressing to create a negative pressure environment. The vacuum efficiently removes fluids and waste materials from the wound bed while stimulating blood flow to the area. This therapeutic process may also help bring wound edges together as an essential part of wound healing. In addition to a vacuum pump, NPWT devices have tubing for fluid and waste removal, a waste container for storing removed materials, and dressing material to pack and seal the wound.

NPWT devices enable the delivery of fluids, such as saline or antibiotics, that irrigate the wound, along with the intermittent removal of used fluid – all of which support the cleaning and drainage of the wound bed itself. NPWT helps promote healing in acute or chronic wounds, as well as first- and second-degree burns. Although this therapy is also useful for treating diabetic ulcers, further research is needed for other types of wounds.