BACKGROUND: Small clinical studies suggest adjunctive use of acoustic pressure wound therapy (APWT) may enhance wound healing, even in challenging patients. This noncontact low-frequency, nonthermal ultrasound therapy for assisting with the debridement of necrotic tissue from challenging wounds is generally better tolerated by patients for whom treatment-related wound pain, anticoagulation, or medical instability precludes sharp, surgical, or mechanical debridement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in amount of devitalized tissue, amount and type of wound drainage, and wound surface area after administration of APWT. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of 48 consecutive patients treated with adjunctive APWT at a single center between January 2006 and October 2007. METHODS: Paired comparisons of baseline versus posttreatment values for wound area, tissue characteristics, drainage, and pain were analyzed. Time, frequency, and duration of APWT and treatment-related adverse events were collected. RESULTS: APWT was administered a mean of 2.1 times per week for a mean of 4.1 minutes per session. Mean duration of therapy was 5.5 weeks. Median wound area was reduced by 92% from baseline to end of APWT (6.2 cm(2) to 0.2 cm(2),P < .0001). The proportion of wounds with >75% granulation tissue increased from 37% to 89% (P < .0001). The proportion of wounds without fibrin slough or eschar increased from 31% to 75% (P < .0001) and from 72% to 94% (P = .02), respectively. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design, lack of control group, small sample population. CONCLUSION: As an adjunct to conventional wound management, APWT appears to improve parameters associated with wound healing, including increased tissue granulation, decreased necrotic tissue, and decreased wound area.
BACKGROUND: Small clinical studies suggest adjunctive use of acoustic pressure wound therapy (APWT) may enhance wound healing, even in challenging patients. This noncontact low-frequency, nonthermal ultrasound therapy for assisting with the debridement of necrotic tissue from challenging wounds is generally better tolerated by patients for whom treatment-related wound pain, anticoagulation, or medical instability precludes sharp, surgical, or mechanical debridement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in amount of devitalized tissue, amount and type of wound drainage, and wound surface area after administration of APWT. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of 48 consecutive patients treated with adjunctive APWT at a single center between January 2006 and October 2007. METHODS: Paired comparisons of baseline versus posttreatment values for wound area, tissue characteristics, drainage, and pain were analyzed. Time, frequency, and duration of APWT and treatment-related adverse events were collected. RESULTS: APWT was administered a mean of 2.1 times per week for a mean of 4.1 minutes per session. Mean duration of therapy was 5.5 weeks. Median wound area was reduced by 92% from baseline to end of APWT (6.2 cm(2) to 0.2 cm(2),P < .0001). The proportion of wounds with >75% granulation tissue increased from 37% to 89% (P < .0001). The proportion of wounds without fibrin slough or eschar increased from 31% to 75% (P < .0001) and from 72% to 94% (P = .02), respectively. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design, lack of control group, small sample population. CONCLUSION: As an adjunct to conventional wound management, APWT appears to improve parameters associated with wound healing, including increased tissue granulation, decreased necrotic tissue, and decreased wound area.
Authors: Jeremy S Honaker; Michael R Forston; Emily A Davis; Michelle M Wiesner; Jennifer A Morgan Journal: Int Wound J Date: 2012-01-31 Impact factor: 3.315