title: Topical negative pressure therapy: mechanisms and indications.
abstract: Topical negative pressure (TNP) therapy has emerged as a high-technology, microprocessor-controlled physical wound-healing modality. Complex effects at the wound-dressing interface following application of a controlled vacuum force have been documented. These include changes on a microscopic, molecular level and on a macroscopic, tissue level: interstitial fluid flow and exudate management, oedema reduction, effects on wound perfusion, protease profiles, growth factor and cytokine expression and cellular activity, all leading to enhanced granulation tissue formation and improved wound-healing parameters. Primary indications for clinical use have been documented and include traumatic wounds, open abdominal wounds, infected sternotomy wounds, wound bed preparation, complex diabetic wounds and skin-graft fixation. Whilst this therapy now forms an essential part of the wound healing armamentarium, extensive clinical trials are recommended to confirm efficacy and delineate its optimum use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Odstock Burns, Wound Healing and Reconstructive Surgery Research Trust, Laing Laboratory, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, UK. paul.banwell@co.uk
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Banwell
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Musgrave
mesh_terms: D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy*; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*