Laparostomy with vacuum dressing after liver transplantation

Systematic review of the negative pressure wound therapy in kidney transplant recipients

AIM

To review negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as an important addition to the conventional methods of wound management.

METHODS

A systematic review, performed by searching the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases, showed 11 case reports comprising a total of 22 kidney transplantation (KT) patients (range, 1 to 9), who were treated with NPWT. Application of NPWT was associated with successful healing of wounds, leg ulcer, lymphocele and urine leak from ileal conduit.

RESULTS

No complications related to NPWT were reported. However, there was paucity of robust data on the effectiveness of NPWT in KT recipients; therefore, prospective studies assessing its safety and efficacy of NPWT and randomised trials comparing the effectiveness of NPWT with alternative modalities of wound management in KT recipients is recommended.

CONCLUSION

Negative pressure incision management system, NPWT with instillation and endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system are in investigational stage.

'Indirect VAC': a novel technique of applying vacuum-assisted closure dressing

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) wound dressing is increasingly used to assist closure in various wounds ranging from simple finger pulp defect to complex wounds such as laparostomy or infected sternotomy. The traditional application of direct vacuum therapy can cause discomfort and put the patient at risk of injuring the affected area while mobilising. We describe a novel technique of applying VAC therapy indirectly which is much more comfortable and convenient for the patient while mobilising.

Combining topical negative pressure and a Bogota bag for managing a difficult laparostomy

A patient with a severe intra-abdominal infection required a laparostomy. A Bogota bag was combined with topical negative pressure therapy, saving nursing time and enabling successful management of wound fluid.