Less Frequent Dressing Changes Reduce Children's Pain
Less Frequent Dressing Changes Reduce Children's Pain
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become an accepted method to assist in optimizing the management of wounds. It can decrease the frequency of dressing changes, which reduces pain and fear in pediatric patients. An 8-year-girl with lower extremity avulsion injuries underwent debridement and received NPWT for 17 days. The dressing foam was changed only twice during NPWT. Secondary skin grafting was performed 24 days later, and the wound was resurfaced 35 days after injury. Negative pressure wound therapy reduces the frequency of required dressing changes, even while the wound releases massive exudate, which reduces pain and brings comfort to injured children.
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for open injury has recently gained popularity among various surgical specialties. This system is based on the application of negative pressure by controlled suction to the wound surface. The effectiveness of NPWT to promote microcirculation and granulation tissue proliferation has been verified. Thus, it has allowed uncomplicated wounds to heal quickly. While NPWT has been shown to be useful in a variety of situations, one unique potential benefit in children is that it promotes the removal of excessive discharge through a suction tube, which keeps the wound surface clean and consequently decreases the requirement of dressing changes.
The authors present a case of a child with a severe leg degloving injury who underwent successful NPWT with reduced pain.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become an accepted method to assist in optimizing the management of wounds. It can decrease the frequency of dressing changes, which reduces pain and fear in pediatric patients. An 8-year-girl with lower extremity avulsion injuries underwent debridement and received NPWT for 17 days. The dressing foam was changed only twice during NPWT. Secondary skin grafting was performed 24 days later, and the wound was resurfaced 35 days after injury. Negative pressure wound therapy reduces the frequency of required dressing changes, even while the wound releases massive exudate, which reduces pain and brings comfort to injured children.
Introduction
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for open injury has recently gained popularity among various surgical specialties. This system is based on the application of negative pressure by controlled suction to the wound surface. The effectiveness of NPWT to promote microcirculation and granulation tissue proliferation has been verified. Thus, it has allowed uncomplicated wounds to heal quickly. While NPWT has been shown to be useful in a variety of situations, one unique potential benefit in children is that it promotes the removal of excessive discharge through a suction tube, which keeps the wound surface clean and consequently decreases the requirement of dressing changes.
The authors present a case of a child with a severe leg degloving injury who underwent successful NPWT with reduced pain.