Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a method used to draw out fluid and infection from a wound with the use of a suction pump to facilitate the healing of the wound. Negative pressure wound therapy is an effective treatment for a variety of complex wounds.
Benefits
Your doctor may recommend negative pressure wound therapy if you have a burn, pressure ulcer, venous ulcer, diabetic ulcer, chronic wound, or injury.
Your doctor may use this therapy to help your wound heal faster by drawing fluids and infections out of the wound.
Benefits of negative pressure wound therapy include:
- It accelerates the rate of wound healing
- It reduces the risk of pathogenic infection
- It reduces the number of dressing changes
- It increases blood flow to the wound area
How it is done
NPWT involves a special dressing bandage, tubing, a negative pressure device, and a canister.
First, your doctor will clean the wound and fit layers of foam dressing to the size of the wound. The foam will be packed into the wound.
The foam dressing will then be sealed with a film. The film has an opening where a tube leading to a specially-programmed vacuum pump is attached.
The vacuum pump has a canister where the fluids extracted from the wound are deposited. The vacuum pump can be set so that it continues non-stop or it stops and starts intermittently.
When the vacuum pump is on, it applies negative suctioning pressure and slowly extracts fluid and infection from the wound. The fluids are deposited into the canister as they are extracted from the wound. As the vacuum pump extracts the fluid from the wound, it helps pull the edges of the wound together so that the surface of the wound closes gradually. When fluids are extracted, it promotes the growth of new tissues and the healing of the wound.
As the fluids and infection are being extracted, antibiotics and saline can as well be pushed into the wound to kill the bacteria in the wound and hydrate the wound.
Process
A medical professional will attach a drain tube that is connected to the vacuum pump to the dressing and initiates negative pressure suctioning while maintaining a level of moistness around the wound.
For wounds experiencing excessive drainage, continuous suctioning of the wound is recommended. Fluid discharge is heavier during the early stages of wound healing. Most wounds require continuous suctioning.
For wounds that are not draining excessively but consistently, intermittent suctioning is recommended. Intermittent suctioning is adjusted to a wound’s exudates levels. Wounds with consistent but moderate discharge benefit from intermittent suctioning because it helps to maintain optimal moisture levels of the wound.
The vacuum pump should stay for about 48 hours or more. Most healthcare professionals recommend that the dressing should be changed every 48 to 72 hours or at least 3 times a week. The dressing may need to be changed more often if the wound is infected.
Ideal candidate for negative pressure wound therapy
Your doctor will decide if you are a good candidate for negative pressure wound therapy based on your type of wound and your medical condition.
Ideal candidate for negative pressure wound therapy
NPWT may be recommended if you have:
- Venous ulcers
- Pressure ulcers
- Diabetic ulcers
- Arterial ulcers
- First and second-degree burns
- Chronic non-healing wounds
- Wounds with excessive drainage
- Acute or chronic surgical wounds at risk of infection
Cost of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Texas
The cost of negative pressure wound therapy varies from provider to provider and the number of treatments you get. Ask your healthcare provider or doctor for the total cost of the treatment.
Best Doctor for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Lubbock, TX
Dr. Joseph Wolcott MD is the best Doctor in Lubbock that provides negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of wounds. Dr. Wolcott is a very experienced doctor and has the knowledge and equipment required to provide negative pressure wound therapy.
Dr. Wolcott is a highly experienced wound care specialist in Lubbock, Texas. Haven practiced for over 10 years as a wound care specialist, he is one of the very best that you can find in Lubbock and around Texas.
Dr. Wolcott is a certified wound specialist and board-certified in Internal Medicine. He has a proven success record for wound treatments. He uses different interventional treatment techniques for the treatment of non-healing wounds and provides treatment in the cleanest and most serene environment.
He is a leader in the treatment of non-healing wounds and has dedicated a significant part of his life towards improving the lives of his patients by ensuring that patients with non-healing wounds are completely healed.
If you have a burn, pressure ulcer, a venous ulcer, diabetic ulcer, chronic wound, or severe injury, you should seek the services of Dr. Wolcott for proper treatment.
