Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a recent technique that applies subatmospheric pressure to facilitate wound treatment. It involves placing an open cell interface directly on the wound and sealing it with an occlusive dressing. A vacuum pump then applies negative pressure to the entire wound surface. NPWT works by providing a closed moist environment, decreasing wound volume, removing excess fluids, promoting granulation, and helping remove interstitial fluid. It is indicated for large, clean, or exudative wounds as well as fixing skin grafts and tissue flaps. Contraindications include clotting disorders, necrotic wound beds, untreated infections, and neoplastic tissue in wounds. NPWT prepares wound beds

1. NEGATIVE PRESSURE
WOUND THERAPY (NPWT)

2. What’s NPWT?
• A recent technique which facilitates
wound treatment utilizing sub
atmospheric pressure
• Consists of placing an open cell wound
interface (eg. sponge,/gauze) directly
on wound surface and covering it with
occlusive film. Negative pressure is
then applied to entire wound surface.

3. Contents of NPWT dressing
pack
1. Sterile open cell wound interface of
small, medium and large sizes
2. Flexible vacuum tubing
3. Occlusive adhesive transparent
dressing
4. Canister (collection chamber with
connecting tubing)
5. Vacuum pump

4. How NPWT works?
1. Provides a closed and moist wound
healing environment
2. Decreases wound volume
3. Removes excess fluids that can inhibit
wound healing
4. Helps remove interstitial fluid
5. Promotes granulation

5. Indications of NPWT
• Huge, clean and/or exudative wound
while waiting for definitive wound
closure
• Fixation of skin grafts (mesh-grafts) and
tissue flaps

6. Contraindications of NPWT
• Clotting disorders (Risk of bleeding)
• Necrotic wound bed or eschar (barrier
to new tissue growth)
• Untreated infection (Due to deep
extension of potential infectious focus)
• Neoplastic tissue in wound area

7. How to apply NPWT?
• Cut wound interface to fit shape of wound
• Place wound interface on wound bed till
flushed with edges
• Place vented end of flexible vacuum tubing

8. • Cover wound interface
and tubing with
occlusive adhesive
dressing
• Ensure tight seal
• Connect open end of
tubing to canister on
vacuum pump

9. • Program prescribed
amount of pressure
and suction interval

11. Complications of NPWT
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Wound infection caused by anaerobes
• Loss of blood and fluid

12. Side effects of NPWT
• Ingrowth of granulation tissue into foam
• Pain ass. with effects of suction and dressing
changes
• Maceration and pressure damage to adjacent
skin areas
• Reduction in perfusion caused by pressure on
small vessels

13. Summary
• NPWT is only an adjunct to
management of chronic, acute and
difficult wounds and it is not the
ultimate solution
• NPWT prepares wound bed for greater
chance of successful closure
• NPWT does not replace surgical
procedures

14. Reference
• Wound Care Manual 1st edition (2014),
Ministry of Health Malaysia, pg 157-
162