Peinemann F, Sauerland S, et al.
Deutsches Arzteblatt international. Date of publication 2011 Jun 1;volume 108(22):381-9.
1. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2011 Jun;108(22):381-9. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2011.0381. Epub
2011 Jun 3.
Negative-pressure wound therapy: systematic review of randomized controlled
trials.
Peinemann F(1), Sauerland S.
Author information:
(1)Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen (IQWiG),
Köln. frank.peinemann@iqwig.de
BACKGROUND: In negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT), a wound is covered with an
airtight dressing, and negative pressure is applied. This is thought to promote
healing. We evaluated NPWT with an updated, systematic review of the literature.
METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for
randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) of NPWT for the treatment of acute or
chronic wounds. The primary outcome was complete wound closure.
RESULTS: We found reports of 9 RCTs in addition to the 12 covered by earlier
IQWiG reviews of this topic. Five of the 9 new trials involved NPWT systems that
are not on the market. The frequency of complete wound closure is stated in only
5 of the 9 new reports; a statistically significant effect in favor of NPWT was
found in only two trials.The results of 8 of the 9 new trials are hard to
interpret, both because of apparent bias and because diverse types of wounds were
treated.
CONCLUSION: Although there may be a positive effect of NPWT, we did not find
clear evidence that wounds heal any better or worse with NPWT than with
conventional treatment. Good RCTs are still needed to evaluate NPWT.
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2011.0381
PMCID: PMC3123764
PMID: 21712971 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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