title: Management of large soft-tissue wounds with negative pressure therapy-lessons learned from the war zone.
abstract: The recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated that body armor has led to increase survival of combatants but the extremity injuries have been alarming. The increased numbers of extremity injuries have led to the acceptance and use of negative pressure therapy (NPT) in managing large wounds. This article reviews some of the lessons learned in treating wounds of the upper extremity using NPT.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Department of Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation, El Paso, Texas 79905, USA. Miguel.Pirelacruz@luke.uf.mil
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pirela-Cruz
authors.forename: M Shaun
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Machen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Esquivel
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D003646:Debridement; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D006085:Graft Survival; D006406:Hematoma / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008887:Military Medicine; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D014857:Warfare