Introduction: To present the outcomes of five patients with non-healing surgical wounds when utilizing NPWT alongside collaborative evidence-based practice (EBP) and holistic patient care. Also demonstrating its the safe and effective use, alongside optimised wound care strategies and interventions including a comprehensive wound care portfolio.
Methods: Holistic assessments, treatment pathways and outcomes were captured as case studies. Five patients were treated in hospital and/or community settings and received single use NPWT (with or without prior traditional NPWT) in conjunction with holistic assessments that guided clinically appropriate treatment plans to supplement, or transition from, discontinuation of NPWT.
Results: This case series included male and female patients (aged 32 to 84 years) with non-healing surgical wounds who received treatment with NPWT (range of delivery duration 19 to 91 days). Three wounds healed, one was managed palliatively with markedly improved quality of life outcomes, and one approached full approximation of wound edges.
Discussion: Non-healing surgical wounds, either healed or improved substantially when treated with an evidence-based approach using NPWT in conjunction with optimised wound care strategies and interventions. Patient quality of life improvements were achieved as healing the wounds enabled rehabilitation programs to commence.
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