Background::
Diabetes mellitus is a complex disorder that requires continuous management
to control blood sugar levels and prevent complications. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are
the most common complication in diabetic patients. A popular therapy modality with considerable
advantages in the management of diabetic foot ulcers today is negative pressure wound therapy
(NPWT).
Objective::
This study aimed to review related articles about the efficacy as well as the complications
or adverse effects of using NPWT on the healing of DFUs.
Methods::
Searching English databases from PubMed, Ebscohost, Proquest and Science Direct
was done to identify relevant citations published between January 2017 and January 2022. A
combination of terms was used with the boolean formulation of “negative pressure wound therapy
OR NPWT” OR “vacuum-assisted closure or VAC” AND “diabetic foot ulcers OR diabetic
foot wound” AND “wound healing” AND “Conventional dressings” and map terms were also
used for the subject heading. Some potentially relevant citations of articles from the bibliographies
are also reviewed.
Results::
This study included 8 related articles consisting of 6 RCTs, 1 cohort study and 1 Quasy
experimental study. There were various methodological techniques for using NPWT and outcome
measures among studies. The results of this literature review showed that NPWT was
more efficacious than the other conventional or advanced moist dressings. This therapy revealed
a faster healing time with complete wound healing and formation of granulation tissue and reduction
in wound size. The complications or adverse effects of NPWT, such as amputation
rate, bleeding and pain, were not different from conventional or advanced moist dressings,
though.
Conclusion::
NPWT was more efficacious than other conventional or advanced moist dressings
for the healing of DFUs. However, complications or adverse effects of using this therapy
showed no significant difference with other conventional or advanced moist dressings.