References

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Panicker V.N. A pilot study evaluating topical negative pressure using V1STA technology. Wound Pract Res. 2009; 17:194-200

Dowsett C. Recommendations for the use of negative pressure wound therapy. Wounds UK. 2012; 8:48-59

Wu S.C., Armstrong D.G. Clinical outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers treated with negative pressure wound therapy and the transition from acute care to home care. Int Wound J. 2008; 5:10-16

Abbotts J. Patients' views on topical negative pressure: ‘effective but smelly’. Br J Nurs. 2010; 19:(20)S37-41

Morykwas M.J., Simpson J., Punger K. Vacuum-assisted closure: state of basic research and physiologic foundation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006; 117:(7)S121-126

Woo K.Y., Sibbald G. Vacuum-assisted closure home care training: a process to link education to improved patient outcomes. Int Wound J. 2008; 5:1-9

Flack S., Apelqvist J., Keith M. An economic evaluation of VAC therapy compared with wound dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. J Wound Care. 2008; 17:71-78

Mendonca D.A., Papini R., Price P.E. Negative-pressure wound therapy: a snapshot of the evidence. Int Wound J. 2006; 3:261-271

Upton D., Solowiej K., Hender C., Woo K.Y. Stress and pain associated with dressing change in patients with chronic wounds. J Wound Care. 2012; 21:53-61

Krasner D.L. Managing wound pain in patients with vacuum-assisted closure devices. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2002; 48:(5)38-43

Vuolo J.C. Wound related pain: key sources and triggers. Br J Nurs. 2009; 18:(5)20-22

Keskin M., Karabekmez F.E., Yilmaz E. Vacuum-assisted closure of wounds and anxiety. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2008; 42:202-205

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Stansby G., Wealleans V., Wilson L., Morrow D. Clinical experience of a new NPWT system in diabetic foot ulcers and post-amputation wounds. J Wound Care. 2010; 19:496-502

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Negative pressure wound therapy
Hard-to-heal wounds

Patients' experiences of negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of wounds: a review

02 January 2017
Review
02 January 2017
Volume 1 · Issue 1

Abstract

Objective:

To review the research on patients' experiences of undergoing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Method:

A literature search was carried out using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed and PsyARTICLES. The search covered the period from 2001 to 2012, using the key words: [‘negative pressure wound therapy’ OR ‘vacuum-assisted closure’ OR ‘topical negative therapy’] AND [‘patients’ experiences’ OR ‘psychological’ OR ‘stress’ OR ‘anxiety’ OR ‘wellbeing’ OR ‘pain’ OR ‘quality of life’ OR ‘physical’].

Results:

Twenty-five relevant articles were included. NPWT is generally considered to be successful in reducing wound depth and facilitating healing. However, studies have highlighted a number of issues that need to be considered. For example, the type of dressing used during treatment can have a significant effect on patients' experience of pain. Furthermore, the NPWT system can cause patients to feel anxious due to both the patient and the health professional being unfamiliar with this form of treatment. It can also restrict patients' daily care and wider social life, which may result in a negative self-image and low self-esteem. Despite this, some studies have reported positive improvements to patients' quality of life. Additionally, since NPWT can lead to faster healing, any detrimental impact upon patients' wellbeing may be short-term and less prolonged than that of other treatments.

Conclusion:

Compared with other treatments, there is evidence to show that NPWT can lead to faster wound healing, and a reduced frequency of dressing changes and other treatments. However, there are a number of challenges with the use of NPWT, which need to be explored further so that improvements can be made. Specifically, certain aspects of NPWT may impact negatively on patients' wellbeing, albeit short-term. Therefore, research needs to explore patients' experiences of NPWT throughout the treatment process and to consider how this can be improved to minimise any negative effects.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a therapeutic technique, which facilitates the healing of acute and chronic wounds, while preventing the occurrence of infection.1 There are numerous types of NPWT, including commercially available systems and adapted versions. The treatment was first established in the 1980s and developed further in the 1990s to deal with large and complex wounds, which posed difficulties when attempting to achieve definitive wound closure.2 NPWT is often used when other treatments have been unsuccessful in chronic wound healing.3 It is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological wound closure system, which aids healing through the use of localised sub-atmospheric pressure, which is placed on the area.4 A sealed dressing is placed over the wound and attached to a suction pump and drainage tube, which works in removing interstitial fluid and mechanical deformation of the tissue.5,6

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negative pressure wound therapy
wound
patients' experiences
quality of life
pain
stress
anxiety