Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) facilitates wound healing through all of the following mechanisms EXCEPT:
- A Macrodeformation — mechanical forces that draw wound edges together
- B Increasing local wound pH to alkaline levels, promoting bacterial growth suppression ✓
- C Microdeformation — application of mechanical stretch to cells stimulating proliferation
- D Removal of excess wound exudate and oedema, improving tissue perfusion
Correct answer: B. Increasing local wound pH to alkaline levels, promoting bacterial growth suppression
Explanation
Negative pressure wound therapy (VAC/NPWT) works by: macrodeformation (drawing wound edges together), microdeformation (sub-atmospheric mechanical stretch stimulating cell proliferation and angiogenesis), removing excess exudate and inhibitory wound fluid, improving blood flow, and reducing bacterial counts. NPWT does NOT alkalinize the wound — it does not affect local pH in the manner described. Wound pH changes are not a recognised mechanism of NPWT action.
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.