Negative pressure wound therapy in a contaminated soft-issue wound

Today's high-energy weapons can inflict extensive damage to the human body, causing significant tissue, muscle, and bone loss. Contamination, soft tissue swelling, and massive tissue defects associated with injuries from high-energy weapons frequently require these wounds to heal by secondary intention or delayed primary closure. Successful management of the contaminated soft-tissue injury with significant tissue loss poses challenges for the healthcare provider as well as the patient. The following case study demonstrates use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) in the treatment of a missile-caused contaminated soft-tissue wound and examines some of the issues and outcomes associated with managing this type of catastrophic wound.