Did you know that many Thai people are facing the problem of chronic wounds that do not fully heal, causing pain and significantly affecting daily life? These wounds can also lead to serious complications such as bloodstream infections. Today, we have the technology of ‘Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)’ that helps stimulate wound healing, making wounds heal faster and improving quality of life. It is therefore a good treatment option for those with chronic wounds and almost all types of wounds.
What is Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)?
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a wound treatment technique that accelerates the healing process by using negative pressure to absorb excess fluids, reduce bacterial accumulation, and stimulate the formation of new tissue cells, resulting in faster wound healing.
This technique is suitable for slow-healing wounds, chronic wounds, large wounds, and infected wounds, including wounds that have not improved with traditional treatments. Additionally, NPWT is a closed system wound treatment that reduces the risk of infection, minimizes direct wound contact, and decreases pain from frequent dressing changes.
How does the Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) device work?
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy treats wounds by using a device that creates negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure to help remove excess fluids such as lymph, blood, and pus from the wound. The doctor applies a foam dressing (Polyurethane foam) or a special type of gauze on the wound to evenly distribute the negative pressure. Then, it is covered with an airtight film seal to maintain moisture and prevent external contamination. The negative pressure is controlled by the NPWT device through a tubing system connected between the foam dressing and the vacuum pump, which transmits the pressure and removes fluids from the wound into a collection container.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) with technology for maximum efficiency
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy has been developed to be more effective with technology that accelerates wound healing, increases patient comfort, and allows doctors to monitor treatment results accurately. Current NPWT devices have important features such as:
- Intelligent pressure control system that automatically adjusts the negative pressure level to suit the wound characteristics, helping wounds heal faster and reducing the risk of side effects from inappropriate pressure use.
- Antibacterial wound dressings such as biofoam or special gauze coated with antimicrobial agents, which reduce the risk of infection and stimulate tissue repair processes.
- Monitoring system that can record data and display treatment results in real-time via applications or online systems, allowing doctors to conveniently and accurately track patient conditions.
These technologies enhance treatment efficiency, leading to better wound healing and improving patients’ quality of life in many aspects.
What types of wounds are suitable for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy? Can it treat chronic wounds?
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy can be used for acute wounds, infected wounds, and chronic wounds, especially those that heal slowly or have complications requiring effective fluid management, such as:
- Wounds from accidents, especially large wounds, open wounds, lacerations, or penetrating wounds, to help prevent infection and accelerate healing.
- Infected wounds to reduce bacterial accumulation in the wound, with infection control prior to treatment.
- Chronic wounds that are infected or do not heal with traditional methods, such as diabetic wounds and pressure ulcers, as well as wounds caused by venous insufficiency, which can help reduce wound size and better stimulate new tissue growth.
- Necrotic wounds to stimulate new tissue formation and reduce the chance of infection.
- Burns or scalds, especially second- and third-degree burns that have undergone surgical removal of necrotic tissue, to prepare the surface for skin grafting, including skin grafts for other wound types.
- Tissue graft wounds to help improve graft adhesion and promote better new tissue formation.
- Complex surgical wounds, often used after major surgery to reduce infection risk and help wounds close faster, especially in cases where surgical wounds are at risk of dehiscence.
However, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy is not suitable for wounds with heavy bleeding or wounds caused by cancer.
Wounds heal well with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a continuous wound treatment method that effectively accelerates the healing process, offering many benefits such as:
- Accelerating wound healing with negative pressure that stimulates new tissue formation and shortens treatment time.
- Reducing bacterial accumulation and infection risk by continuously absorbing excess fluids from the wound while maintaining optimal moisture levels, preventing complications, and helping wounds dry faster.
- Reducing swelling and helping wounds contract, allowing wound edges to gradually come together and reducing wound size.
- Stimulating fibroblast cells and new collagen production, which are essential components for tissue regeneration.
- Promoting blood circulation, ensuring the wound receives oxygen and nutrients necessary for cell repair.
However, to meet the needs of patients seeking both cost-effectiveness and tailored treatment for each wound type, the Surgical Center at Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital has specialists in various wound treatment techniques, including ‘Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)’, with attentive multidisciplinary care to ensure every wound heals better.
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Dr. Kamthorn Wijitkamthorn
Surgeon, Surgical Center
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
