Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT/VAC therapy) promotes wound healing via which primary mechanisms?

• A Removes exudate, reduces edema, promotes microvascular blood flow, stimulates granulation tissue via mechanical cell stretch, and decreases bacterial bioburden ✓
• B Provides direct antibiotic delivery to the wound bed
• C Creates an anaerobic environment that kills aerobic bacteria selectively
• D Hyperbaric oxygen delivery to wound bed

Explanation

NPWT (subatmospheric pressure at −75 to −125 mmHg) promotes wound healing through multiple mechanisms: removal of inhibitory wound fluid and proteases; reduction of wound edge edema; mechanical microstrain on cells stimulating proliferation and migration (mechanotransduction via integrin signaling); increased local blood flow; contraction of wound edges reducing wound size; decreased bacterial colonization (though not sterilization). NPWT does not deliver antibiotics or create hyperbaric oxygen. It is used for open abdominal wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, dehisced wounds, and skin graft beds.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.