An Easy Technique for Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for Extremities Using Collagen Powder and Sterile Gloves

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become the standard of care for wound management. Application of NPWT to the hand and foot is technically challenging due to difficulty in obtaining a proper air seal. The cost of the treatment is another negative factor affecting NPWT in developing countries. We describe an easy and economical technique for the application of NPWT to the extremities using collage powder and sterile surgical glove. Collagen creates a physiological interface between the wound surface and the environment and is also non-immunogenic, non-pyrogenic, hypoallergenic, and pain-free. We used this method in 20 patients. In all cases, we could achieve a proper air seal and significantly reduce the cost. The median duration of NPWT application was 9 days. This combination turned out to be a good alternative to traditional VAC with respect to the duration and cost of treatment and also ergonomically better in the management of extremity wounds.