101 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)/Vacuum‐Assisted Closure®(V.A.C.®) as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Aim:  To determine the viability/effects of incorporating Negative Pressure Wound Therapy ( NPWT )/V.A.C.® Therapy as an adjunct in the treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum. Material and Methods:  A 74-year-old white female presented with clinical evidence of Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG). The wound exhibited pathergy and therefore aggressive debridement remained contraindicated. The patient applied topical Elidel cream to the periwound. With meticulous wound management, the lesion remained free of infection. Clinicians utilized various systemic treatment regimes including Minocycline 100 mg twice daily, Dapsone 50 mg daily, Cyclosporine 150 mg twice daily, and ultimately Infliximab 5 mg/kg every 2 months. The latter drug created a significant positive response; however, the wound continued to “wax and wane.” Researchers began NPWT/V.A.C.® Therapy to facilitate granulation tissue, epithelization, and ultimate wound closure. Results:  The researchers observed dramatic improvement in wound dimensions, wound contracture, and granulation tissue with the addition of NPWT/V.A.C.® therapy. Conclusions:  NPWT/V.A.C.® Therapy appears to augment healing in a patient with Pyoderma Gangrenosum and may be useful as adjunctive therapy. Acknowledgments:  KCI®, San Antonio, TX