Low-vacuum negative pressure wound therapy protocol for complex wounds with exposed vessels

Objective: Treating high-risk surgical patients with complex wounds over exposed blood vessels is a challenge. Guided wound healing may be the only treatment possible. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is not recommended in these cases. The authors challenged these current recommendations and share their preliminary experience.

Method: The authors adapted a NPWT protocol that uses low-vacuum continuous pressure (-80mmHg) with a silicone sheath and gauze/foam dressing between the wound bed and the device. They monitored the clinical features of patients' wounds to detect bleeding/ischaemia early on. Dressings were changed every 72-96 hours.

Results: This protocol was followed in five male patients (aged 23-68 years) with complex wounds over exposed vessels. Two cases were foot crush injuries, one midfoot amputation, one hand self-subamputation and one vascular bypass infection. Comorbidities included monoarterial limbs/stump, severe arteriopathy and psychiatric disorder. The exposed vessels were femoral, radial and ulnar, anterior and posterior tibial arteries and veins. Mean treatment lasted 37 days (range 20-61 days). No episodes of severe bleeding/ischaemia of the extremities were observed. Treatment was discontinued once debridement was complete and granulation tissue allowed spontaneous closure/grafting. All wounds appeared stable at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusion: The low-vacuum NPWT protocol was successful in solving five difficult cases. This regimen reduces risks associated with NPWT use on wounds with exposed vessels. The authors believe further validation is required to strengthen the evidence. However, preliminary data are encouraging and might help to change future NPWT recommendations by extending the indications for its use to exposed vessels.