A selection of references on wound management

Objective: To compare healing of free, full-thickness, meshed skin grafts under negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with bolster dressings in dogs. Study design: Randomized, controlled experimental study, paired design. Animals Dogs (n=5). Methods: Full-thickness skin wounds (4 cm x 1.5 cm) were created bilaterally on the antebrachia of 5 dogs (n=10). Excised skin was grafted to the contralateral limb. Grafts were randomized to NPWT or bolster dressings (control; CON). NPWT was applied continuously for 7 days. Grafts were evaluated on Days 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 17, biopsied on days 0, 4, 7, and 14, and had microbial culture on Day 7. Outcome variables were: time to first appearance of granulation tissue, percent graft necrosis, and percent open mesh. Significance was set at P<.05. Histologic findings, culture results, and graft appearance were reported. Results: Granulation tissue appeared earlier in the NPWT grafts compared with CON grafts. Percent graft necrosis and remaining open mesh area were both greater in CON grafts compared with NPWT grafts at most time points. Histologic results showed no significant difference in all variables measured, and all cultures were negative. Conclusions: Variables of graft acceptance were superior when NPWT was used in the first week post-grafting. Fibroplasia was enhanced, open meshes closed more rapidly and less graft necrosis occurred with NPWT application. More preclinical studies are required to evaluate histologic differences. Publication Type Journal article. <19> Accession Number 20133232394 Author Perry, K. L.; Witte, T. H. Title Suck it and see indications and action of NPWT: Part One. Source Veterinary Times; 2013. 43(27):22-24. 53 ref. Publisher Veterinary Business Development Ltd Location of Publisher Peterborough Country of Publication UK Abstract Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) otters great potential for the treatment of wounds with a wide variety of configurations and aetiologies. The technique is used to decrease wound healing time and facilitate wound care in situations that might otherwise be considered difficult or non-healing. Numerous applications haw been reported in several species, including acute and chronic wounds, wounds with exposed hone, tendon or implants, open fractures and osteomyelitis. NPWT has been shown to increase dermal perfusion, reduce oedema and interstitial tissue fluid, stimulate granulation tissue formation, achieve reverse tissue expansion and reduce bacterial colonisation. As a result, NPWT has been demonstrated to