2005 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care | |
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Clinical Research
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Use of negative pressure wound therapy in the adjunctive management of necrotizing fascitis: clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness Mona M. Baharestani, PhD, ANP, CWOCN, CWS, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and cost effectiveness of NPWT* in the adjunctive management of wounds secondary to necrotizing fascitis. This study consisted of a retrospective review of 11 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of necrotizing fascitis who were treated with NPWT*. Eleven patients with 16 total wounds sites received NPWT*. There were 6 sites affected, with the lower extremity comprising 63% of the total. Initial operative tissue cultures identified b-hemolytic streptococcus in 82% of wounds. One hundred percent limb salvage was achieved and no patients expired. The average number of NPWT* treatment days was 24.7, with a median of 21 days. Closure rate was 100% successful, with 71% receiving split thickness grafts and 29% requiring flaps. There were no direct complications associated with the NPWT* dressings. The average hospital length of stay was 66.7 days, with a median of 45 days and a mode of 37 days. In comparing standard wound care to NPWT* in terms of supply costs and professional nursing time expenditures, standard care was found to be 2.25 times more costly. NPWT* is an efficacious, cost effective adjunct to the management of complex wounds associated with necrotizing fascitis. * V.A.C.® is a registered trademark of KCI, Inc., San Antonio, Texas |
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