Evaluation of an ultra‐lightweight, single‐patient‐use negative pressure wound therapy system over dermal regeneration template and skin grafts

Abstract

As the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) over skin grafts has increased, traditional methods of NPWT system reimbursement and application are increasingly being challenged. A simplified method of accessing and operating NPWT in the outpatient setting is needed, particularly in cases where immediate outpatient use of NPWT is optimal. We evaluated use of a new ultra-lightweight, off-the-shelf, disposable, single-patient-use NPWT system (SP-NPWT; V.A.C.Via™ Therapy, KCI USA, Inc., San Antonio, TX) over dermal regeneration template (DRT) and/or skin grafts. SP-NPWT was initiated over a DRT and/or skin graft in 33 patients with 41 graft procedures. Endpoints were recorded and compared to a historical control group of 25 patients with 28 grafts bolstered with traditional rental NPWT (V.A.C.® Therapy, KCI USA, Inc.). Average length of inpatient hospital stay was 0·0 days for the SP-NPWT group and 6·0 days for the control group (P < 0·0001). The average duration of SP-NPWT post-DRT or skin graft was 5·6 days for the SP-NPWT group and 7·0 days for the control (P < 0·0001). Preliminary data suggest that, compared to traditional NPWT, off-the-shelf SP-NPWT may provide a quicker, seamless transition to home, resulting in decreased hospital stay and potential cost savings.

Optimal use of negative pressure wound therapy for skin grafts

“…Results showed that all grafts took successfully and had similar graft take rates compared to current graft take rates with NPWT/ROCF (5,9). More importantly, the SP‐NPWT device allowed for discharge of patients on the same day of DRT or graft placement (12).…”

“…As there are now ultra‐lightweight, disposable, single‐patient‐use NPWT systems (SP‐NPWT; V.A.C.Via™ Therapy System, KCI USA, Inc., San Antonio, TX) available, an important benefit of using NPWT/ROCF in graft patients relates to the ability to perform grafts as outpatient procedures or to discharge postoperative patients earlier. A pilot study by Gabriel et al (12) evaluated the use of SP‐NPWT over skin grafts and dermal regeneration templates (DRTs). Thirty‐eight patients with 41 wounds received SP‐NPWT over STSGs, full‐thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) and DRTs.…”

“…Simple skin grafts are easily managed and do not require extended hospital stays. Use of the new SP‐NPWT has allowed for discharge of patients on the same day as graft placement, which eliminates the need for a hospital admission (12). Expediting the patient's discharge to home offers a cost‐effective advantage to both hospital and patient.…”

Understanding the Hawthorne effect in wound research—A scoping review

“…HE in the reviewed articles was present as a passing mention and related to three purposes: justifying an aspect of the research design, 23,24,[26][27][28][29][30]53 defending unexpected findings, [32][33][34][35][36][38][39][40]44,46,54,55 and acknowledging a deficit of conducting an open-label study. 37,42,47,56,57 Regardless of the purpose, the term HE was referred to briefly and lacked definition in most of the reviewed articles.…”

Miniaturized Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites

“… 15 16 Over the past several years, several miniaturized, disposable, single-patient NPWT (SP-NPWT) devices have been introduced. 5 6 17 18 19 20 21 These devices have the potential to simplify wound care in the management of skin graft donor sites in the outpatient setting. The authors describe a series of 10 patients with STSG donor site wounds treated with an off-the-shelf, miniaturized, SP-NPWT device.…”