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Contraindications
•
Do not apply the wound dressing directly on exposed organs, blood vessels, nerves, ligaments and
tendons.
•
Do not use the negative pressure wound therapy:
-
on an exposed anastomotic site,
-
if you have even the slightest suspicion that the wound may be malignant,
-
in proximity of the cranial nerve in order to minimise the risk of bradycardia,
-
in proximity of a spinal cord injury, which might cause undesired stimulation of the sympathetic
nervous system with consequent autonomic dysreflexia,
-
in the presence of necrotic tissue with a eschar on the wound,
-
in the presence of osteomyelitis,
-
in the presence of unexplored fistulas and enteric fistulas,
-
in the presence 3rd degree burns with a eschar on the wound.
Precautions
•
Before application of the negative pressure wound pressure therapy, carefully assess the weight and size
of the patient. For patients at risk of fluid depletion or dehydration, it is suggested to set a low initial
negative pressure and check the volume exuded.
•
Particular attention must be paid in using the hypobaric therapy on the following patients:
-
patients with coagulation disorders,
-
patients that have taken or have recently taken anticoagulants and/or antiaggregants,
-
patients that have recently suffered acute or surgical traumas,
-
patients with weak or infected blood vessels,
-
patients with infected wounds,
-
patients with sharp parts in the wound.
The risk of haemorrhage increases considerably in such patients and it is advisable to take the following
precautions:
-
in case of surgery, postpone application of the negative pressure wound therapy for at least 24
hours,
-
when applying the negative pressure wound therapy, frequently check the fluid collection canister,
the suction tubes and the drains for any signs of bleeding,
-
be extremely careful when changing the dressing, as this is when the risk of haemorrhage is the
highest.
