Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Abstract

Open wounds are regularly addressed in veterinary medicine and can be challenging to manage, especially when there is significant loss of full-thickness skin. Traditional wound dressings are being replaced by modern synthetic materials, biologic wound dressings, and mechanical technologies to augment healing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is one of the most successful mechanical adjuncts to wound healing. Experience with NPWT in veterinary medicine is not as extensive as in human medicine but reports have been positive. This modality may become an invaluable adjunct to wound management and other surgical applications in both large and small animals.

Keywords: Dressings; Healing; Negative pressure wound therapy; Skin; Wound.