Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for the Treatment of Complex Spinal Wounds

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used for several decades to assist in closure of large or necrotic wounds in general and orthopedic surgery and has recently been demonstrated to be a useful technique for complex spinal wounds. The authors discuss mechanisms of NPWT affecting wound healing, procedure notes for negative pressure wound vacuum placement, indications for negative pressure wound therapy, risks associated with negative pressure wound therapy, and care of patients undergoing NPWT. In appropriately selected patients, NPWT is a potential strategy to assist in closure of complex spinal wounds.