A Case of an Open Contaminated Shoulder Wound Managed by Intra-wound Continuous Negative Pressure and Irrigation Treatment

Abstract

To close a highly contaminated wound, the wound environment should be controlled to suppress the infection. Early debridement and early wound closure are essential. However, it is difficult to remove residual foreign matter and manage the infection immediately in some cases. We encountered a case of an open, contaminated shoulder wound managed with intra-wound continuous negative pressure and irrigation treatment. Debridement was performed on the day of injury. However, the fine foreign substances were insufficiently removed, and a superficial infection occurred. Intra-wound continuous negative pressure and irrigation treatment were performed for wound management. The infection was controlled, and the wound was covered with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. This study showed that intra-wound continuous negative pressure and irrigation treatment were viable wound management options for superficial infections and complex structures.Key words : contaminated wound, intra-wound continuous negative pressure and irrigation treatment, negative pressure wound therapy, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwelling time