|
 |
| |
| Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used regularly since early 2000 by the Podiatry Section at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center (VA), Phoenix, Ariz., for the management of open foot wounds with soft tissue defects. Initial impressions of its efficacy were favorable. To confirm or refute these impressions, the podiatry team conducted a retrospective analysis of selected outcomes in patients treated with either NPWT or standard wet-to-moist dressings. The primary outcomes to be assessed were wound cavity filling time and total time to complete closure of the wound. Secondary outcomes considered were other surgical procedures performed on the study foot, complications of the study foot, and number and length of readmissions for subsequent problems in the study foot. All secondary outcomes were assessed during the year following the definitive surgical procedure, which was performed just before initiation of NPWT or wet-to-moist gauze dressing use. |
|
| |
|
|
