Outcome of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Management of Large Wounds in Diabetic Patients

Aim: To determine the outcome of negative pressure wound therapy in management of large wounds in diabetic patients. Study design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Surgical floor of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Duration: One year from 01-01-2012 to 31-12-2012. Methods: This study included 82 diabetic patients with large wounds of both gender aged more than 12 years. The patients were managed with negative pressure wound therapy and observed for outcome in terms of disappearance of wound discharge, mean decrease in wound size, no bacterial growth and wound closure (yes/no). Results: Disappearance of wound discharge was seen in 70(85%) patients at 6th week, mean decrease in wound size was -15.45 +/- 10.10cm(2), no bacterial growth was seen in 42(51.2%) patients at 6th week, wound closure was seen in majority of patients 57(69.5%) by the end of 6th week. Conclusions: Negative pressure wound therapy has a better outcome in healing large wounds of diabetic patients.