Comparison of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) systems: Evaluation of Pressure Delivery in Presence of Dressing Leak.

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have shown greater mean percentage wound volume and surface change with increased adherence to a -125mmHg negative pressure wound therapy regime1. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the behavior of various NPWT systems when the system contains an air leak.

Materials/Methods: Three NPWT systems (NPWT-A, NPWT -B◊◊, NPWT -C◊◊◊) were tested for 12 hours (3 units x 3 dressings each) using a simulated wound environment with induced dressing leak. Leak rates when NPWT-A was compared to NPWT-B and NPWT-C were 24 and 41 ccm, respectively. NPWT systems were tested at their respective default pressure setting (-125mmHg for NPWT -A and -80mmHg for NPWT -B◊◊and NPWT -C◊◊◊).

Results/Discussion: NPWT-A units consistently delivered therapy within spec without interruption for all 12hr tests. NPWT-B and NPWT-C systems exhibited on/off cycling resulting in average therapy delivery of 3.8 hours and 4.1 hours, respectively. During the test period, average pressures maintained at 24 ccm leak were -125.0mmHg for NPWT-A and -30.4mmHg for NPWT-B; average pressures maintained at 41 ccm leak were -124.2mmHg for NPWT-A and -30.8mmHg for NPWT-C.

Conclusion: Consistent delivery of NP has been shown to be related to wound progression1. NPWT systems are not equivalent in performance. NPWT -A systems consistently delivered programmed therapy levels while exposed to a dressing leak. NPWT -B◊◊ and NPWT -C◊◊◊ systems were not capable of doing so under these test conditions.

ACTIV.A.C™ Therapy System (3M, San Antonio, TX), ◊◊ PICO™ Therapy System (Smith & Nephew, England, UK); ◊◊◊ PICO 7™ Therapy System (Smith & Nephew, England, UK)

References:

  1. L Griffin and L Casillas, “A Patient-centered Remote Therapy Monitoring Program Focusing on Increased Adherence to Wound Therapy: A Large Cohort Study,” Wounds, 2018; 30(8) E81-E83.

Important Notice: The contents of the website such as text, graphics, images, and other materials contained on the website ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is not intended to substitute manufacturer instructions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product usage. Refer to the Legal Notice for express terms of use.