Authors' recommendations: Moderate-quality evidence shows that negative pressure wound therapy in patients with refractory diabetic foot ulcers shows a slight increase in healing rates, when compared with standard of care, also a slight decrease in healing times and it could decrease the rate of amputations, although this result should be confirmed with studies of good methodological quality. Very low quality evidence on negative pressure wound therapy for vascular ulcers and pressure sores does not allow drawing conclusions on the efficacy and safety of this technology in these indications. The clinical practice guidelines recommend using negative pressure wound therapy only for diabetic foot ulcers refractory to standard treatment. Most guidelines do not recommend the use of negative pressure for the treatment of vascular ulcers and there is no consensus for pressure sores. The coverage policies analyzed cover this technology as second-line treatment for diabetic, vascular and pressure ulcers, with restrictions in its indication and under strict follow-up for their progress.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2017

URL for published report: www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)