Negative pressure wound therapy in the management of complex lower limb wounds: a case series highlighting outpatient care with small single-use devices

Abstract

Background: Traditionally, the treatment of exposed tendon has required vascularised tissue coverage, usually with complex surgical intervention. The introduction of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has challenged this traditional reconstructive concept. Unfortunately, standard NPWT units are usually bulky, noisy and curtail the mobility and lifestyle of patients. The introduction of small, modern, lightweight, portable, single-use NPWT units have therefore revitalised the use of NPWT and provided a solution to the many problems encountered with the larger devices. Case series: This study highlights three cases of patients with complex lower limb wounds with tendon exposure who were successfully treated with single-use NPWT in an outpatient setting. The median time for complete wound granulation was 5–10 weeks. Minor sharp debridement of wounds was required to encourage granulation tissue formation and this was well tolerated in the outpatient setting. Conclusion: Portable NPWT units provide an alternative to surgical reconstruction in patients with lower limb wounds with exposed tendon. These devices can be utilised in a purely outpatient setting, thus avoid long-term hospitalisation. Older patients with high anaesthesia risk or who lack alternative reconstructive options due to vascular co-morbidities are the most appropriate candidates for this treatment option.