Negative pressure wound therapy: Current practice in India

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a therapeutic technique using a vacuum dressing to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds. This study aims to survey current opinion regarding negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) among plastic surgeons in India. Methods: Registered plastic surgeons currently practicing in India were identified from the Association of Plastic Surgeons in India database. A questionnaire was designed asking a set of question which included if they used NPWT in their plastic surgical practice, whether or not they considered themselves aware of the current evidence and applications of NPWT and how successful they felt that NPWT was in different clinical situations. The questionnaire was uploaded online and a link was e-mailed to them requesting for completion. Two e-mail reminders were sent to those who failed to respond. Results: Of 388 plastic surgeons, 240 responded (62 %). The median response time was 18.2 days. Out of 240, 182 (76 %) plastic surgeons used NPWT in their clinical practice. The main adverse events when using NPWT appeared to be pain when changing the dressing (22 %), bleeding (18 %) and infection (12 %). NPWT was most commonly used for diabetic foot wounds post-debridement, pressure sores and arterial/venous ulcers. As per the respondents, use of NPWT reduced the time interval from admission to final procedure by almost 40 %. Conclusions: Currently in India, NPWT is most commonly used for diabetic foot wounds post-debridement, pressure sores and arterial ulcers followed by venous ulcers, with perceived success correlating with this order of popularity. There is a need for surgeons in India to understand the controversies regarding NPWT and adopt it in their clinical practice wherever feasible. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.