Water for Reducing Pain in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Cold Water for Reducing Pain in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Dressing Change

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a technique using vacuum dressing to promote wound healing in complicated wound. However for many patients, the application and removal of the NPWT is source of procedural pain. Some techniques had been reported to reduce these pain such as administering topical lidocain or normal saline solution before the dressing change. The authors hypothesized that administering cold water into the NPWT sponge would decrease pain during dressing changes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Open wounded patient who is treated by negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with the age between 18-70 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The patient who has decrease sensation at cured wound region
• The patient who has Glasgow coma scale less than 15
• The patient who cannot provide pain scale data
• The patient who has diabetic ulcer or other chronic sores
• The patient who denies to participate in research project.