title: Comparison of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) &conventional wound dressings in the open fracture wounds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Successful closure is a primary step of treatment in open fracture wounds. Delayed healing or complications can lead to increased treatment duration, costs and disability rates. The aim of this study was to compare Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and conventional wound dressings in patients with open fracture wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective randomized clinical trial study, 90 patients with open fractures that were referred for treatment were enrolled between February 2013 to March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I underwent NPWT and group II underwent conventional wound dressing. Then patients were followed up for one month. Within the one month, the number of dressing change varied based on the extent of the wound. Duration of wound healing, presence of infection and the number of hospitalization days in these patients were recorded and compared at the end of the study between the two groups. Questionnaires and check lists were used to collect data. Analysis was done with SPSS 20, paired sample T-test, and chi-square tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between the rate of wound healing in the group one or NPWT group and group II (conventional wound dressings) P<0.05. There was no significant difference between two groups in incidence of infection (P=0.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using NPWT expedites the healing process of extremity wounds. It is more economical and can be considered as a substitute for the treatment of extremity wounds.
authors.affiliation: Prof. Hamidreza Arti, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Trauma Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arti
authors.affiliation: Mohsen Khorami, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Trauma Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khorami
authors.affiliation: Vahid Ebrahimi-Nejad, Resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Trauma Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi-Nejad
keywords: Conventional Wound Dressings; Infection; Negative Pressure Wound Therapy; Wound healing