Efficacy of Negative Pressure Therapy on Wound Healing among Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer has become a major chronic health problem worldwide, described as an infection, ulceration, lead to tissue breakdown, resulting in morbidity and possible amputation. Negative pressure wound therapy represents a significant technological advancement in wound healing . Purpose was to determine efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy versus conventional moist wound dressings on wound healing among diabetic foot ulcers patients. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Setting: Study was carried out at general surgical department of El-Menshawy Hospital which affiliated to Ministry of Health –Tanta - Gharbia Governorate. Sample: A convenience sample of 60 adult patients with diabetic foot wound were selected and divided alternatively and randomly into two equal groups (30 study -30 control) .Instruments of the study: Two instruments were used for data collection:Structured interview questionnaire, Bates-Jensen wound assessment Tool (BWAT) .Results: There was highly statistically significant difference in wound healing among study group than control group regarding total mean scores of BWAT assessment .The mean total BWATscores of the study group assessed at first week, second week and third week were (50.50± 8.67, 37.03± 11.09 &19.96 ± 9.04 respectively) while the total mean score of the control group were (50.73 ± 8.63, 48.96 ± 9.83&47.43 ± 11.18 respectively). Conclusions: Negative pressure wound therapy was safe and effective on wound healing and didn’t cause any side effects, accelerate wound healing. Recommendations: Negative pressure wound therapy should be used as an alternative therapy for wound healing as it safe, cost effective, accelerate wound healing and decrease length of hospital stay for patients with diabetic foot ulcer.