Application of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Deep Neck Infection

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesZZNegative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) has been used in many surgery to treat complicated wound and impaired wound healing by delivering negative pressure at the wound site through a patented dressing, which helps draw wound edges together, remove infectious materials, and actively promote granulation at the cellular level. Recently application of NPWT has been increased to treat deep neck infection. We aimed to retrieve indications and guidelines to treat deep neck infection from our cases and after reviewing articles. Subjects and MethodZZFrom our experience with 9 cases presented as deep neck abscess in which the application of a Vacuum-assisted closure device was used instead of common drainage tubes after surgical evacuation and journal review, indications and guidelines to apply NPWT as one of the tools to treat deep neck infection were retrieved. ResultsZZIndication and Guideline of NPWT. 1) For simple abscess involving single space excepting the mediastinum, intravenous administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, needle aspiration or simple surgical drainage is recommended. 2) In the case of failure of previous treatments, NPWT will be necessary for immunocompromised hosts such as diabetic patients for whom more than two spaces are involved, the mediastinal involvement, compromised airway or disseminated intravascular coagulation. In severe cases involving the chest, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or mediastinoscopy could be used. 3) For patients with improving signs such as decreasing pus, increasing granulation formation, negative culture results from sponge, and normalized C-reactive protein, we can stop NPWT and convert to the regular wound care. ConclusionZZIndication and Guideline of NPWT could be applied to treat deep neck infection. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2016;59(2):125-32 Key WordsZZDeep neck infection ㆍNegative pressure wound therapy. Head and NeckKorean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2016;59(2): 125-32 / pISSN 2092-5859 / eISSN 2092-6529 http://dx.doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016 online © ML Comm