Negative pressure wound therapy did not improve 12-month disability for patients with severe open lower limb fracture compared with standard wound dressing, according to a study in JAMA.
Here are three things to know:
1. The study assessed self-rated disability, deep infection rate and quality of life in patients with severe open fracture of the lower limb who received negative pressure wound therapy or standard wound management after the first surgical debridement of the wound.
2. There was no statistically significant difference in self-rated disability between negative pressure wound therapy or standard wound dressing at 12 months in this randomized clinical trial of 460 adults with open fractures of the lower limb.
3. The study also found no significant differences in surgical site infections, other healing complications or quality of life. The study authors claim that these findings do not support negative pressure wound therapy for open lower limb fracture.
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