Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a therapeutic technique using a vacuum dressing to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds and enhance healing of first and second degree burns.
The therapy involves the controlled application of sub-atmospheric pressure to the local wound environment, using a sealed wound dressing connected to a vacuum pump.
The use of this technique in wound management increased dramatically over the 1990s and 2000sand a large number of studies have been published examining NPWT.
NPWT appears to be useful for diabetic ulcers and management of the open abdomen (laparostomy) but further research is required for other wound types.