• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.56-61
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• 2018

Advances in medical technology has enabled better management of complicated and chronic wounds. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a novel dressing technique that uses negative pressure to drain exudates and blood from wounds. NPWT increases local blood flow and promotes reduction of edema and wound healing and is suitable for a variety of wounds. It is associated with few adverse effects and shows excellent efficacy and cost-effectiveness. NPWT promotes rapid growth of granulation tissue and wound contraction; thus, it is more advantageous than general dressings as it reduces the size skin of grafts or flaps required for repair, and patients with chronic wounds can be treated as outpatients. We investigated the general usage and mechanism of NPWT, its clinical applications and adverse effects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2008

Purpose: V.A.C. is a new concept which is closed dressing with negative pressure to promote wound healing. It has been widely used as the treatment of chronic and acute wounds such as pressure sores, burns, stasis ulcers, and other complicated wounds. However It has disadvantages such as high cost and the need of specific equipment. In this article, we described new method to overcome these disadvantages. Methods: We made newly innovated equipment with 50 cc syringe and spring to create negative pressure. From May 2006 to May 2007, we applied it to two patients with chronic wound. Results: The treatment period was 5 weeks for one case and 3 weeks for the other case. Both patients were healed completely without admission and wound healing was accelerated. During follow-ups, there were no complications. The mean cost for single dressing was 9,590 won. Conclusion: Modified portable negative therapy using newly innovated equipment could accelerate wound healing better than conventional dressing. It lowers the number of dressings, saves cost of treatment, and enables treatment as outpatient basis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.608-610
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• 2022

In this article, we reported a single case of ischemic fasciitis in a young woman with a progressive immobilization due to a multifocal demyelinating disease of central nervous system, which appeared on an extensive pressure ulcer of the sacral region treated with 10 days of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Wound examination revealed a significant nontender brown neoformation (9 cm in length × 10 cm in width × 7 cm in height), fixed to the sacrum, presenting hard consistency, and grown in the central portion of the sacral pressure sore. The histologic examination showed central fibrinoid necrosis, and vascular and atypical fibroblastic proliferations, and a diagnosis of ischemic fasciitis was made. Ischemic fasciitis is a rare benign proliferation of atypical fibroblasts that occurs in physically weak patients with reduced mobility. In the literature, the relationship between the use of NPWT on pressure ulcers and the development of ischemic fasciitis is, to the best of our knowledge, not described yet.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2015

Background Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) induces angiogenesis and collagen synthesis to promote tissue healing. Although acetic acid soaks normalize alkali wound conditions to raise tissue oxygen saturation and deconstruct the biofilms of chronic wounds, frequent dressing changes are required. Methods Combined use of NPWT and acetic acid irrigation was assessed in the treatment of chronic wounds, instilling acetic acid solution (1%) beneath polyurethane membranes twice daily for three weeks under continuous pressure (125 mm Hg). Clinical photographs, pH levels, cultures, and debrided fragments of wounds were obtained pre- and posttreatment. Tissue immunostaining (CD31, Ki-67, and CD45) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]; procollagen; hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha [HIF-1-alpha]; matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-1,-3,-9; and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase [TIMP]) were also performed. Results Wound sizes tended to diminish with the combined therapy, accompanied by drops in wound pH (weakly acidic or neutral) and less evidence of infection. CD31 and Ki-67 immunostaining increased (P<0.05) post-treatment, as did the levels of VEGFR, procollagen, and MMP-1 (P<0.05), whereas the VEGF, HIF-1-alpha, and MMP-9/TIMP levels declined (P<0.05). Conclusions By combining acetic acid irrigation with negative-pressure dressings, both the pH and the size of chronic wounds can be reduced and infections be controlled. This approach may enhance angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in wounds, restoring the extracellular matrix.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.76-79
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• 2017

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive soft-tissue infection involving the deep fascia and is characterized by extensive deterioration of the surrounding tissue. Immediate diagnosis and intensive treatment, including debridement and systemic antibiotics, represent the most important factors influencing the survival of NF patients. In this report, we present a case of NF in the abdomen due to an infection caused by a perforated small bowel after abdominal liposuction. It was successfully treated using negative-pressure wound therapy, in which a silicone sheet functioned as a barrier between the sponge and internal organs to protect the small bowel.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.75-78
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• 2021

A Morel-Lavallée lesion is a post-traumatic closed degloving soft tissue injury after blunt trauma. Infection and skin necrosis frequently occur if it is not treated properly in the early stages. However, there is no clearly established treatment algorithm. In the acute stage, it is mainly treated with aspiration, simple compression, and incisional drainage. In the chronic stage, sclerotherapy is usually performed. If skin necrosis develops, the necrotic tissue is resected and a skin graft is needed. We describe a case of acute Morel-Lavallée lesion in the buttock region that was treated with limited incisional drainage and negative-pressure wound therapy, and also present a review of the literature.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2021

A bursa is an obstructive sac filled with synovial fluid and usually occurs in any area of the body exposed to friction. The bursa of the ankle is not a normal anatomical structure and is caused by repetitive trauma, constant friction, or inflammatory disease of the ankle. Bursitis can occur in any bursa in the human body; however it rarely progresses to septic arthritis. We report a rare case of septic ankle arthritis following intractable lateral malleolar bursitis successfully treated with negative-pressure wound therapy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2015

Gouty ulcer can be caused by the accumulation of clumps of uric acid in body tissues that lead to acute or chronic inflammation at sites of accumulation. Furthermore, tophi-inhibiting granulation tissue may form a canal that channels microbial infection from the underlying involved joint space, and thus, presents the risk of osteomyelitis development. Accordingly, gouty ulcer must be treated appropriately. In this case, refractory wounds on gouty ulcers at the left shin and left radial ankle were treated by surgical debridement. Negative-pressure wound therapy was used successfully to prevent post-operative delayed wound healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.470-474
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• 2019

Congenital absent sternum is a rare birth defect that requires early intervention for optimal long-term outcomes. Descriptions of the repair of absent sternum are limited to case reports, and no preferred method for management has been described. Herein, we describe the use of porcine acellular dermal matrix to reconstruct the sternum of an infant with sternal infection following attempted repair using synthetic mesh. The patient was a full-term male with trisomy 21, agenesis of corpus callosum, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, right-sided aortic arch, and congenital absence of sternum with no sternal bars. Following removal of the infected synthetic mesh, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation was used to manage the open wound and provide direct antibiotic therapy. When blood C-reactive protein levels declined to ${\leq}2mg/L$, the sternum was reconstructed using porcine acellular dermal matrix. At 21 months postoperative, the patient demonstrated no respiratory issues. Physical examination and computed tomography imaging identified good approximation of the clavicular heads and sternal cleft and forward curvature of the ribs. This case illustrates the benefits of negative pressure wound therapy and acellular dermal matrix for the reconstruction of absent sternum in the context of infected sternal surgical site previously repaired with synthetic mesh.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.668-672
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• 2014

Background Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is believed to accelerate wound healing by altering wound microvascular blood flow. Although many studies using laser Doppler have found that NPWT increases perfusion, recent work using other modalities has demonstrated that perfusion is reduced. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of NPWT on tissue oxygenation of the foot, which is the most sensitive region of the body to ischemia. Methods Transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen ($TcpO_2$) was used to determine perfusion beneath NPWT dressings of 10 healthy feet. The sensor was placed on the tarso-metatarsal area of the foot and the NPWT dressing was placed above the sensor. $TcpO_2$ was measured until it reached a steady plateau state. The readings obtained at the suction-on period were compared with the initial baseline (pre-suction) readings. Results $TcpO_2$ decreased significantly immediately after applying NPWT, but gradually increased over time until reaching a steady plateau state. The decrease in $TcpO_2$ from baseline to the steady state was 2.9 to 13.9 mm Hg (mean, $9.3{\pm}3.6$ mm Hg; $13.5{\pm}5.8%$; P<0.01). All feet reached a plateau within 20 to 65 minutes after suction was applied. Conclusions NPWT significantly decrease tissue oxygenation of the foot by 2.9 to 13.9 mm Hg. NPWT should be used with caution on feet that do not have adequate tissue oxygenation for wound healing.