Effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy in the management of chronic diabetic ulcers: a prospective study

Abstract

Background: Chronic ulcers in patients with diabetes are complex and treatment is often difficult. At the moment, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used for the treatment of several types of wounds. Nevertheless, the clinical evidence to support the application of this dressing in chronic diabetic ulcers is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT to treat chronic diabetic ulcers.Methods: Prospective time bound comparative study. Diabetic patients aged 18 years or older with an ulcer were assigned to treatment with NPWT. Primary efficacy end point was time in reaching complete ulcer closure. A size of sample of 15 patients was used. NPWT was prepared with a polyurethane foam dressing, a Silicone catheter, a transparent adhesive drape and continuous negative pressure of 125 mm Hg. The wound was treated for cycles of 5 days and evaluated at every dressing change. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used.Results: There were 15 patients, with a mean age of 54.4 years (73.3% men). The average time to complete ulcer closure was (41.2 [8.5] days).Conclusions: NPWT is an effective modality of treatment of chronic diabetic ulcers with early appearance of granulation tissue and faster rates of overall complete wound closure.