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Retrospective Analysis of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Open Foot Wounds with Significant Soft Tissue Defects

OBJECTIVE:To compare treatment outcomes of open foot wounds with significant soft tissue defects using either negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or standard wet-to-moist saline-soaked gauze dressings. SUBJECTS:Forty-seven subjects with open wounds with significant soft tissue defects. DESIGN:A retrospective analysis of sequentially selected records of patients treated with NPWT or standard wet-to-moist dressings. RESULTS:Risk of complications, subsequent foot surgeries, and hospital readmissions (secondary outcomes) were all reduced by 70% or more for the patients treated with NPWT. Length of stay during readmissions tended to be shorter; rates of wound cavity filling and wound healing (primary outcomes) tended to be greater with NPWT, although the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:Patients included in the study treated with NPWT had fewer foot-related complications, less additional foot surgery, and fewer readmissions for the study foot than did patients treated with standard therapy. Further research using randomized clinical trials is needed to confirm the findings of the current study's data. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Wound cavity filling time and time to complete closure were similar in both study groups, despite the fact that patients receiving NPWT were older, had larger wounds, and had poorer nutrition. NPWT may be an effective modality for the healing of open wounds with significant defects and for reducing subsequent care.