SINGLE-USE NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY SYSTEMS AMONG ADULT PATIENTS IN THE NAIROBI HOSPITAL

PROFILE INFORMATION

Maureen Amollo Aginga

Peri-operative Nurse/ Epidemiologist-Statistician

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

• Aspiring PHD Student
• Masters of Public Health (Epidemiology and Statistics) (UON)
• Peri-Operative Nursing (KNH Nursing School)
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (UON)

HOBBIES

Travelling and Hiking.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION�

• Vaccum assisted closure of wound is a type of system which promotes open wound healing through application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) especially in infected tissues. When applying negative pressure onto the bed of the wound, fluid material is removed, formation of granulation tissue is promoted and wound edge approximation is helped.

WOUND VACCUM SYSTEM

• A Vaccum system comprises of:
• A foam or gauze dressing which is placed directly on the wound.
• A adhesive film which covers and seals the dressing and wound.
• A drainage tube which leads from under the adhesive film and connects to the pump.
• This pump removes air pressure over the wound, constantly or in cycles. You may also carry it everywhere you go.

A VAC SYSTEM HELPS THE WOUND TO HEAL BY�

• Draining excess fluid from the wound
• Reducing swelling
• Reducing bacteria in the wound
• Keeping your wound moist and warm
• Helping draw together wound edges
• Increasing blood flow to your wound

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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH VAC

• BLEEDING
• WOUND INFECTION
• AN ABNORMAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INTESTINAL TRACT AND SKIN. (ADHEHESIONS)

Contraindicated in malignant wounds.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was find out the efficacy of indigenously designed customized VAC therapy on our surgical patients. In that, the management of difficult to heal wounds has been the main force that led to the development of this advanced gadgets.

METHODOLOGY

• This was a prospective study that was conducted in the Department of Surgery from February 2023 to August 2023.
• During this period 10 patients were enrolled into the study who were subjected into the VAC therapy.
• In this 10 patients, 7 patients were male while 3 were females.
• The inclusion criteria were as follows, full thickness wounds (involving subcutaneous fat, fascia with muscles.

Cont:

• VAC was used in different types of wounds, 2 thigh abscesses, 2 sacral pressure ulcers, 4 infected median laparatomy, 1 necrotizing fascilitis and 1 enterocutaneous fistula.
• The VAC machine was changed after 48/72 hours.

RESULTS

• After VAC therapy, 80% were managed by skin grafting, 10% by flap cover, 7% by secondary suturing, 3% healed by secondary intention.
• N/B: Patients were undergoing surgical debridement after 3 or 4 days before the VAC placement.

CONCLUSION

• VAC therapy seems to have revolutionary potential in the management of the difficult to treat wounds as far as its safety, speed and cost effectiveness is considered. It has also been concluded that it helps patients to improve their general condition for those who are malnourished.

REFERENCES

• Gabriel A, Shores J, Berntein B, de Leon J et al. A clinical review of infected wound treatment with vaccum assisted closure therapy: experience and case series. Int Wound Journ 2009; 6: 1-25.
• Ciliberti M. the effect of a Bacteria and Fungi binding mesh on the bacterial load of pressure ulcers treated with NPWT. Wounds: 2016: 28(11): 408-20.
• Zaidi A, El-Masry S. Closed incision negative pressure in high risk general surgery patients following laparatomy: a retrospective study. Dis. 2016; 353(87).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• The Nairobi Hospital Administration.
• The Nairobi Hospital Theatre staffs.
• My Co-Author Dr Ferdinard Nangole, Head of Plastic Surgery Department University of Nairobi.

MOTIVATION QUOTE

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SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STOP BEING SCARED AND JUST GO FOR IT… EITHER IT WILL WORK OR IT WON’T. THAT’S LIFE.