OBJECTIVE: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is effective in infection control during treatment of severe @entity4422 . However frequent dressing changes during NPWT are costly and cause @entity1 discomfort. If the interval between dressing changes could be extended, these problems would be reduced. In this article we compare the outcomes of @entity4422 with 3-day versus 7-day intervals between dressing changes. METHOD: @entity1 who sustained Gustilo IIIB @entity4422 were included. All underwent conventional orthopaedic fixation with delayed latissimus dorsi flap coverage. Group 1 had 3-day intervals between dressing changes and group 2 had 7-day intervals. The final outcomes in the two groups were analysed. RESULTS: There were 38 @entity1 in group 1 and 34 @entity1 in group 2. Although the period between admission and final operation was similar in the two groups, the mean number of NPWT changes was 4.54 in 3 day in group 1 and 1.95 in group 2 (p<0.001). This led to a difference in NPWT-related costs;  341.26 in group 1 and  237.49 in group 2(p<0.001). There was no difference in the frequency of complications such as infection or non-union of @entity174 . CONCLUSION: NPWT is useful treatment option for @entity4422 , to bridge between initial debridement and final microsurgical tissue transfer. Considering @entity1 comfort, the costs related to the NPWT, and the final flap results, a 7-day interval between changes of the NPWT is acceptable.

What is the ideal interval between dressing changes during negative pressure wound therapy for open traumatic XXXX ?

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['fractures'] @entity4422 :: ('MESH:D005597', 'Disease') :: ['open fractures', 'open IIIB fractures']
@entity174 :: (MESH:D050723,Disease) :: ['fractures']
