Wound chemotherapy by the use of negative pressure wound therapy and infusion.
BACKGROUND
Although the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is broadly efficacious, it may foster some potentially adverse complications. This is particularly true in patients with diabetes who have a wound colonized with aerobic organisms. Traditional antiseptics have been proven useful to combat such bacteria but require removal of some NPWT devices to be effective.


METHODS
In this article, we describe a method of "wound chemotherapy" by combining NPWT and a continuous infusion of Dakins' 0.5% solution either as a standardized technique in one device (ITI Sved) or as a modification of standard technique in another (KCI VAC) NPWT device. The twin goals of both techniques are to effectively reduce bacterial burden and to promote progressive wound healing.


RESULTS
We present several representative case examples of our provisional experience with continuous streaming therapy through 2 foam-based negative pressure devices.


CONCLUSIONS
Wound chemotherapy was successfully applied to patients with diabetes, without adverse reactions, complications, or recolonization during the course of treatment. We believe this to be a promising method to derive the benefits of NPWT without the frequent adverse sequela of wound colonization.
Giovinco
Nicholas A
NA
Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
Bui
Trung D
TD
Fisher
Timothy
T
Mills
Joseph L
JL
Armstrong
David G
DG