Negative pressure wound therapy: Lessons learned from pressure measurement

Negative Pressure has a primary role in complex wound healing. Different strategies are available, all based on the concept that the negative pressure is spread evenly in the whole wound bed. We have carried several pressure measurements in order to understand the pressure decay in space and time using different kinds of sponges and machines. Our recent studies show that negative pressure is equal from the centre of the wound towards the edges only during the first 24 hours and then decreases with time and distance. We have therefore suggested solutions to guarantee the best healing process depending on the size (lenght and depth) of the wound, the kind of material produced by the wound and the sponge used. We believe that a better understanding of this process will help us provide better care for our patients