Improving the Benefits of Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Gentian Violet and Methylene Blue Polyvinyl Alcohol Antibacterial Foam Dressings

Introduction: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an established wound closure technique available in both canister and disposable formats. Despite its many benefits, problems remain with the canister-based units, including cost, complexity of application, and reduced patient quality of life.

Objective: This case series examines early stage evidence that gentian violet and methylene blue (GV/MB) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam dressings can augment the clinical benefits of disposable NPWT (dNPWT) by increasing its scope of use.

Methods: Four patients with clinically challenging wounds that would not historically fit the criteria for use of dNPWT were transitioned from a canister-based NPWT systems to a dNPWT system combined with a GV/MB PVA antibacterial foam dressing. The GV/MB dressing was applied to the wound bed and then covered with the standard dNPWT dressing.

Results: The absorptive capacity and continuous wicking properties of the GV/MB foam dressing provided optimum moisture control in wounds with moderate to large amounts of exudate and in low evaporative environments. Using the GV/MB foam dressing to address undermining and tunneling situations permitted successful use of dNPWT when it would have been otherwise inappropriate. In addition, it aided in the autolytic debridement process without causing trauma to exposed bone or tendon, and its antibacterial properties aided high-risk patients in remaining free of deep tissue infections. While being treated with this combination, patients reported a decrease in pain and odor and increased mobility, while nurses reported less complexity of care.

Conclusions: Through this review, the author shows that the dNPWT-GV/MB PVA foam dressing combination successfully enabled an earlier transition into dNPWT from a traditional canister system, which led to improved outcomes for the patient, clinician, and health-care payer.