NPWT and moist wound dressings in the treatment of the diabetic foot.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and conventional wound dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot wounds. This article reviews research that compares the two treatments on partial foot amputations, foot ulcers, infected wounds and dehisced post-surgical wounds.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was carried out using CINAHL, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library to locate and critique key studies comparing NPWT and conventional wound dressings to determine their quality.

FINDINGS

NPWT was found to be more effective in treating diabetic foot wounds compared with conventional wound dressings. NPWT was quicker at forming granulation tissue, achieving wound closure, removing infection from foot ulcer beds and decreasing wound dimensions. Data also showed greater incidence of amputations in those patients treated with moist wound dressings.

IMPLICATIONS

Findings suggest that NPWT could be used as a primary treatment for diabetic foot wounds. Factors such as cost effectiveness and patient acceptability may have an impact on this treatment and will need to be investigated in implementing NPWT into practice.