Novel, self-made and cost-ective technique for closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy

Background: It has been suggested that applying the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to a closed surgical incision may hasten the healing of the incision and decrease the incidence of wound healing complications. The goal of this study is to present the new idea of a simple, self-made, low-cost wound vacuum dressing for closed-incision NPWT that may become an alternative to currently manufactured medical industry products. Method: We designed a simple dressing for closed-incision NPWT from gauze pads, polyurethane adhesive film, stoma paste, and a drain tube. Negative pressure was created using a standard 50 ml syringe connected to the drain. First, the dressing was applied to the wound model and on the healthy volunteer. Finally, the dressing was applied to 10 patients after low anterior rectal resection. The vacuum dressing was left in place for 3 days, then changed and placed once more for the next 3 days. Results: We did not observe any adverse effects associated with the dressing. All postoperative wounds healed properly. 18 out of 20 dressings were still air-tight 72h post-placement. Conclusions: This simple, self-made dressing for NPWT is safe and effective and may decrease the wound infection rate. However future studies are needed to confirm that hypothesis.