Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a severe complication of diabetes, associated with high morbidity and a risk of amputation in up to 25% of cases. The treatment of DFUs requires a multidisciplinary approach, with goals focused on promoting wound healing, preventing infection, reducing pressure on the ulcer, and managing underlying risk factors. Wound care, a critical component of DFU treatment, aims to cleanse the wound, remove dead tissue, control exudate, promote granulation, and prevent further injury. This study compares the efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) with Standard Wound Therapy (SWT) in managing DFUs. NPWT offers potential advantages, including fewer dressing changes, faster wound healing, and lower infection rates compared to SWT. Complication rates were notably lower in the NPWT group, with fewer wound failures, less pain, and reduced skin issues such as maceration and allergic reactions. Pain scores showed similar distributions across both therapies, indicating comparable effectiveness in pain management, but mean pain scores were significantly lower in the NPWT group. Additionally, wounds treated with NPWT demonstrated a greater reduction in wound area over time. The benefits of NPWT may stem from its ability to promote granulation, reduce bacterial burden, and create an optimal healing environment through negative pressure. While findings suggest NPWT as a promising alternative to conventional therapy, further research is needed to confirm its advantages and optimize its application across various clinical settings

Description

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