Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation of hypochlorous* acid solution makes a clinical difference in observable ways: a case series.

The use of NPWT with Instillation is becoming common practice, and there is a growing amount of clinical evidence to show that this method is efficient in acceleration of wound healing.  Normal saline is frequently used as the instillation solution.  In our facility, we have found normal saline to be effective, in most cases, however, there are instances where we feel that something different is required, particularly in cases where the quantity of wound debris is high.  In such cases, we have found success in transitioning the normal saline solution to hypochlorous acid solution.

This case series describes 6 patients, whose wound’s utilized NPWT instillation with saline and transitioned over to hypochlorous acid solution.  In each case, photographic evidence and wound size over time was collected.  The NPWT with instillation and foam dressing with larger through holes was set at one of two settings; 5 min soak times occurring every 2 hours or 10 min soak times occurring every 3 ½ hours, negative pressure settings ranged from 100-150 mm of hg, for time frame of 2 days – 2 weeks of use.

We found evidence that the debris that could not be eliminated with saline was efficiently eliminated with additional use hypochlorous acid solution as the NPWT instillation solution. While the exact mechanism is not known, and more robust clinical studies with larger number of patients are needed, our observational findings of this case series on the mechanical ability of the hypochlorous acid solution and instillation with foam dressing with large through holes has made this method the standard practice in our facility with wounds that are needing wound cleansing and removal of thick exudate, malodor and infectious materials.

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