Negative pressure wound therapy with off-the-shelf components

Background: The KCI Wound VAC system (Kinetic Concepts, Inc, San Antonio, TX) for providing negative-pressure therapy for wounds is expensive and may not be available for patients without insurance. We have examined the feasibility of using off-the-shelf components to provide comparable negative pressure therapy at less cost. Methods: Adhesive iodine-impregnated drape, a flat Jackson-Pratt drain (Cardinal Health, McGaw Park, IL), and foam prep sponges stapled together are used to assemble a dressing connected to wall suction (negative 75-100 mm Hg) to create negative pressure wound therapy that is relatively inexpensive (<$60 component cost). Results: We have used this system in more than 40 cases with results that seem comparable to the commercial system and have not seen bleeding or other complications. Conclusion: Off-the-shelf components can be safely employed to provide effective negative pressure therapy for wounds and skin grafts. (c) 2006 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.