Complicaciones asociadas a la terapia de presión negativa en el tratamiento de las úlceras de pie diabético: serie de casos retrospectiva

Abstract

Introduction

The torpid evolution in the healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is a complex problem in the health of patients and causes an increase in costs for the health system. Negative Pressure Therapy (NPT) is a treatment that accelerates healing by a negative pressure flow to stimulate a series of physiological processes in chronic wounds.

Patients and methods

We performed a retrospective observational study that evaluated the complications associated to NPT in the treatment of DFU in patients from the Diabetic Foot Unit of the ComplutenseUniversity of Madrid from 2011 to 2015.

Results

We analysed 57 (83,8%) patients who underwent NPT and recollected every complications during the time NPT is maintained. Perilesional maceration was found in 49% of the patients, bleeding (14%), necrosis (12%), local infection (7%) and local pain (2%).

Discussion

The perilesional maceration was the most frequent complication and the most easily resolved. After resolution of the complications, 80% of the patients obtained a favorable result with the therapy, so it can be concluded that NPT is considered an effective and safe therapy in the treatment of DFU.