AbstractAim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of this economical modification of negativepressure wound therapy with conventional dressings in the healing of infected chronic wounds in a West Bengalregion.Material & Methods: The Present study was single-center, open labelled randomised control trial conducted inthe Department Of General Surgery, Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital Budge Budge,Kolkata West Bengal, India. Study duration was of 12 months. 100 patients with chronic ulcers were randomlydivided in two groups of 50 each as Group A (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) and Group B (ConventionalDressing).Results: Mean age of study subjects was 52.8 ± 13.5 and 55.65 ± 12.6 years in Conventional and NPWT grouprespectively. The difference was statistically non-significant. Male Preponderance was observed in both groups(64% in Conventional and 58% in NPW group respectively). The difference was statistically non-significant. Mostcommon type of chronic ulcer observed in present study was diabetic ulcer (67%) followed by venous ulcers(22%) and pressure ulcers (11%). No difference was seen in the study groups on the basis of type of ulcer. At theend of 1 and 2 weeks, 54% and 94% cases of NPWT group had granulation tissue as compared to only 20% and64% cases in conventional group. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). By the end of 3 weeks,96% of the cases in NPWT group had granulation tissue as compared to 88% cases in conventional group. Thewound contraction rate was significantly faster with NPWT therapy. The difference in the rate of woundcontraction was apparent since 1st week. By week 3, mean percentage of wound contraction was 90.85% in NPWTtherapy as compared to 75.65% in conventional group patients. The difference was statistically significant(p<0.05). Decrease in wound dimensions was significantly faster in NPWT group patients as compared toconventional group. The difference was statistically significant from week 2 (p<0.05).Conclusion: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with its modification appears to be superior compared toconventional dressing in terms of early appearance of granulation tissue, rapid contraction, overall faster healing,decrease in hospital stay and much more cost-effective.

AbstractAim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of this economical modification of negativepressure wound therapy with conventional dressings in the healing of infected chronic wounds in a West Bengalregion.Material & Methods: The Present study was single-center, open labelled randomised control trial conducted inthe Department Of General Surgery, Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital Budge Budge,Kolkata West Bengal, India. Study duration was of 12 months. 100 patients with chronic ulcers were randomlydivided in two groups of 50 each as Group A (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) and Group B (ConventionalDressing).Results: Mean age of study subjects was 52.8 ± 13.5 and 55.65 ± 12.6 years in Conventional and NPWT grouprespectively. The difference was statistically non-significant. Male Preponderance was observed in both groups(64% in Conventional and 58% in NPW group respectively). The difference was statistically non-significant. Mostcommon type of chronic ulcer observed in present study was diabetic ulcer (67%) followed by venous ulcers(22%) and pressure ulcers (11%). No difference was seen in the study groups on the basis of type of ulcer. At theend of 1 and 2 weeks, 54% and 94% cases of NPWT group had granulation tissue as compared to only 20% and64% cases in conventional group. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). By the end of 3 weeks,96% of the cases in NPWT group had granulation tissue as compared to 88% cases in conventional group. Thewound contraction rate was significantly faster with NPWT therapy. The difference in the rate of woundcontraction was apparent since 1st week. By week 3, mean percentage of wound contraction was 90.85% in NPWTtherapy as compared to 75.65% in conventional group patients. The difference was statistically significant(p<0.05). Decrease in wound dimensions was significantly faster in NPWT group patients as compared toconventional group. The difference was statistically significant from week 2 (p<0.05).Conclusion: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with its modification appears to be superior compared toconventional dressing in terms of early appearance of granulation tissue, rapid contraction, overall faster healing,decrease in hospital stay and much more cost-effective.