title: Zinc-coated foam with negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of challenging wounds: a new alternative interface material.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to present the authors' clinical observations on zinc-coated foam with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four consecutive patients treated with zinc-coated foam with VAC therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Nonhealing wounds of at least 6 months duration with high to moderate exudate that required open wound management to secondary intervention were included in this study. The evaluation criteria consisted of the measurement of wound surface area, length of overall treatment time, and a clinical observation of granulation tissue formation in the wound bed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all wounds, there was a significant decrease of the wound surface area, and wound exudate was obtained at the end of the treatment. There was a statistically significant difference between pretreatment and posttreatment measurements (P < 0.05). In all wounds, granulation tissue formation was clinically observed by day 6. Of the 94 wounds, 72 were surgically closed and 22 healed secondarily. The follow-up period averaged 12 months, and it was uneventful with no sign of complications from the use of the material.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the retrospective study demonstrate zinc-coated foam with NPWT can be safely used as an effective and alternative interface material in the treatment of challenging wounds.
authors: Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Oğuzhan
authors: O
authors: Aydoğdu
authors: Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Umut
authors: U
authors: Tuncel
authors: Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Gümüş
authors: Samsun State Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Alper
authors: A
authors: Kurt
authors: Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Nuray
authors: N
authors: Oztürk
authors: Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Ibrahim Alper
authors: IA
authors: Aksakal
authors: Tokat State Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Tokat, Turkey.
authors: Uğur Recep
authors: UR
authors: Çelik
authors: Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Nizamettin
authors: N
authors: Güzel
authors: Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors: Unal
authors: U
authors: Erkorkmaz