Less Painful Wound Treatment for Children

Negative pressure wound therapy decreases the need for frequent and stressful dressing changes in treating severe and complex wounds in pediatric patients, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Texas Children's Hospital (Houston, USA) delivered the negative pressure wound therapy via a vacuum system, which applied negative suction pressure to the wound base through a sponge sealed to the wound by an adherent drape. The system accelerated wound contraction, decreased wound and tissue swelling, increased local microcirculation, and provided a closed, moist healing environment that stimulated the formation of granulation tissue. The results of the study showed that 93% of the children given the treatment showed decreased wound volume, and the average amount of wound closure was 80%. The study was published in the May-June 2007 issue of the journal Wound Repair and Regeneration.

"This is very good news for children with large and complex wounds, such as abdominal wall defects or disrupted surgical wounds,” said senior author Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye. "Not only is the therapy very effective, but it eliminates the need for dozens of painful and frightening gauze dressing changes.”

Because the therapy is less painful, less pain medication may be required. In addition, the dressing is sturdy and guards against infection. It can even be worn on an outpatient basis, using smaller portable equipment.


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Texas Children's Hospital