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Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Negative pressure wound therapy uses suction, tubing, and wound dressing to remove excess exudate and any infectious material that may be present in the wound. Negative pressure wound therapy, also called “wound vac” or “NPWT,” provides an ideal and clean environment to promote wound healing in acute or chronic wounds and second- and third-degree burns. Offering significant clinical benefits for large, chronic wounds and acute, complicated wounds, negative pressure wound therapy is used by healthcare teams and wound care specialists to support faster wound healing.

Research

Learn about the clinical efficacy of Invia Motion single-patient-use NPWT System

In an advanced wound care clinic where more than 100 patients are seen per day (The Advanced Burn and Wound Clinic at JMS Burn Center at Doctors Hospital, Augusta, GA), easy application, easy transition to home, the versatility and applicability across care settings are desirable in treating patients efficiently.

Joan Wilson, MSN, MHA, RN presented the results at the Virtual SAWC Spring in July 2020: "We intend to evaluate how well a commercially available ultra-portable NPWT system* with a suction drain with dual lumen tubing** integrates into the standard of care in achieving clinically acceptable progress towards the goal of therapy for eligible patients enrolled from this advanced wound care clinic and how it is accepted by both patient and caregiver."

  • The case series findings demonstrate that the portable NPWT system* is easy to use and convenient for patients being treated with a single-patient-use NPWT.
  • Furthermore, we found favorable clinical outcomes in this small group.

A comparative study of the influence of different pressure levels combined with various wound dressings on negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) driven wound healing.

Rey Paglinawan, Miodrag Colic, Maryline Simon

Numerous approaches have been developed to attempt to improve the process of wound healing,including applying negative pressure on the wound surface. With the introduction of new wound dressing technologies, the possibilities of combining Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) with these new dressings may result in further advancing the quest to find improved wound therapies.

Inpatient Surgical Setting Transition to Outpatient: Supportive Role of a New Personal and a Reusable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) System with Double Lumen.

Charles K. Lee, MD, FACS; Naomi De Tablan, DPM, Gina Restani, RN, Aliena Chin, RN & Barbie Mir, RN, Rey Paglinawan.


NPWT has revolutionized the management of complex wounds becoming an indispensable tool in the management of acute and chronic wounds in both the inpatient and outpatient care setting. NPWT in the inpatient setting remains in constant demand as a “bridge” therapy after excisional debridement in preparation to a surgical graft or flap. NPWT in the outpatient surgical setting addresses a growing need to decrease length of stay (LOS) while providing an optimal healing environment for post debridement and/or graft procedures. A new NPWT system*,** was utilized in the current case series addressing those needs.

Cost-effectiveness of portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) over Split Thickness Skin Grafts (STSG) in the outpatient surgical setting compared to inpatient setting.

Charles K. Lee, MD, FACS; Naomi De Tablan, DPM, Gina Restani, RN, Aliena Chin, RN & Barbie Mir, RN


NPWT plays an important role in reconstructive surgery to accelerate the healing process with Split Thickness Skin Grafts (STSG) in both inpatient and outpatient surgical settings. With rising healthcare costs and a growing need to decrease inpatient length of stay (LOS), we assessed the potential cost savings stemming from the use of a single-patient-use NPWT* device over STSG in the post-surgical outpatient setting compared to the traditional 5-day inpatient stay after a STSG inpatient procedure. In this study, the portable single-patient-use NPWT* treatment and work related costs were calculated as $ 5617 USD average (range: $ 3370 – $ 6740) per treated patient, and all procedures were performed in the hospital surgical setting. Compared to standard wetto-dry gauze dressings, the NPWT* therapy provides an economic solution for lowering the total treatment time and costs.

Pre-clinical Evidence Invia® Abdominal Dressing Kit

Medela’s Invia Abdominal Dressing Kit provides an effective solution for the management of open abdomen. Open abdomen is an abdominal wall defect created by intentionally leaving an abdominal incision open at the completion of intra-abdominal surgery or by opening (or reopening) the abdomen because of concern for abdominal compartment syndrome. Pre-clinical tests demonstrate the performance of the Invia Abdominal Dressing in conjunction with the Invia Liberty NPWT System with a particular focus on the efficient pressure distribution and fluid management as well as the safety and ease of application and removal.


*Invia® Motion™ NPWT system/Invia® NPWT Dressings
**Invia® FitPad

Professional Education

We invite you to explore Medela University where you will find online CPD certified courses for healthcare professionals.