The Role of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Burn Wound Healing

Sitti Khusnul Khatima; Reeny Purnamasari; Nurul Rumila Roem; Agung Kurniawan; Dian Amelia Abdi

Authors

Sitti Khusnul Khatima Program Studi Profesi Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan
Reeny Purnamasari Program Studi Profesi Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan
Nurul Rumila Roem Program Studi Profesi Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan
Agung Kurniawan Program Studi Profesi Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan
Dian Amelia Abdi Program Studi Profesi Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan

Keywords:

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Burns, Skin Graft, Emergency Room

Abstract

Burn injuries represent a major health concern with high morbidity and a substantial risk of complications, including infection, delayed wound healing, and skin graft failure. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) has emerged as an increasingly utilized therapeutic modality in burn management, working through mechanisms such as edema reduction, enhanced tissue perfusion, stimulation of granulation tissue formation, and effective exudate control. This study employed a Systematic Literature Review design conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The findings indicate that NPWT provides significant positive effects on clinical outcomes, including accelerated wound healing, reduced infection rates, improved graft take following split-thickness skin graft procedures, and shorter hospital length of stay. Furthermore, NPWT has been shown to be effective in emergency department and intensive care unit settings as a bridging intervention prior to definitive surgical management in patients with severe burn injuries. Nevertheless, variability in study designs, negative pressure parameters, and application techniques remains a challenge for the standardization of therapeutic protocols. Therefore, further well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to optimize clinical guidelines and establish appropriate patient selection criteria. Overall, NPWT represents an effective and recommended therapeutic option in modern burn wound management.

References

Amestris, E. (2025). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy ( NPWT ) - assisted blowhole incisions in treating extensive subcutaneous emphysema : a literature review. Journal of Indonesia Vascular Access (INAVA), 5(2), 57–67.

Anshor, T., Yonda, R. M., Adhityo, P., Seswandhana, M. R., Purnomo, E., & Anwar, S. L. (2025). Effects of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on FGF2 and PDGF Expression in Deep Dermal Burn Wounds: A Comparative Study with Conventional Treatments. Journal of Wound Management and Research, 21(1), 32–40.

Azaria, Y. L., & Surjantoro, A. (2025). Terapi tekanan negatif untuk luka kompleks pada ekstremitas bawah : Tinjauan literatur. Medicina, 56(1), 13–17. https://doi.org/10.15562/medicina.v56i1.1379

Bernatchez, S. F. (2024). Current State of Science in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. 14(6), 273–278. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2024.0180

C. Tapking a, J. Endlein a, J. Warszawski b, D. Kotsougiani-Fischer a c, E. Gazyakan a, G. Hundeshagen a, C. Hirche b, D. Trofimenko d, T. Burkard e, U. Kneser a, S. F. a c. (2024). Negative pressure wound therapy in burns: a prospective, randomized-controlled trial. Burns, 50(7), 1840–1847.

Cretu, A., Grosu-bularda, A., Hodea, F., Lascar, I., & Hariga, C. (2025). Strategies for Optimizing Acute Burn Wound Therapy : A Comprehensive Review. Medicina, 61(1), 1–27.

Fakrul Ardiansyah1, Ade Ewa2, Raju Kapadia2, H. Amandus4, Azhari Baedlawi5, Vitria Wuri Handayani6, H., & Rahayu7, P. W. (2024). PENERAPAN TERAPI LUKA TEKANAN NEGATIF TERHADAP PENURUNAN TINGKAT INFEKSI LUKA OPERASI. Jurnal Media Keperawatan: Politeknik Kesehatan Makassar, 15(2), 133–140.

Hasmi, N., Maulana, A., Lolo, K. P., & Yuliana, D. (2024). Literatur Review : Studi Penggunaan Antibiotik Terhadap Pasien Ulkus Diabetikum. Makassar Pharmaceutical Science Journal, 2(1), 146–155.

Heitham, M. B., Fahad, A., Maram, A., Ali, A., & Al, A. F. (2025). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Use : Recommendations and Insights From a Middle Eastern Panel of Experts. International Wound Journal, 22(12). https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.70791

Holbert, M. D., Wood, F., Holland, A. J., Teague, W., Kimble, R. M., Crellin, D., ... & Griffin, B. R. (2024). PLOS ONE Implementation of negative pressure for acute pediatric burns ( INPREP ): A stepped- wedge cluster randomized controlled trial protocol. PloS One, 19(12), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315278

Lin, D. Z., Kao, Y. C., Chen, C., Wang, H. J., & Chiu, W. K. (2021). Negative pressure wound therapy for burn patients : A meta-analysis and systematic review. International Wound Journal, 18(1), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13500

Liu, C., Xie, H., Wei, P., Gong, T., Wu, G., Xu, Z., & Chen, S. (2023). Clinical study of early rehabilitation training combined with negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of deep partial-thickness hand burns. February, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2023.1040407

Lou, J., Zhu, X., Xiang, Z., Fan, Y., Song, J., Huang, N., Li, J., & Jin, G. (2024). The efficacy and safety of negative pressure wound therapy in paediatric burns : a systematic review and meta ‑ analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05302-z

Ma, J., Li, J., Lin, H., Zhao, Y., Cui, Y., Li, B., Wang, Y., Zhuang, J., & Wang, Z. (2025). Efficacy and safety of combined negative pressure therapy after skin grafting on limbs : A systematic review and meta-analysis. 46, 319–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2025.08.017

Mirwanti, R., Oktavianti, A., Setiawan, A., Shofi, N., Fildza, N., Fitriyani, R., ... &, & Azkhari, S. (2021). The Effectiveness of NPWT on Burns in Children: A Literature Review. Padjadjaran Acute Care Nursing Journal, 2(2), 47–56.

Mislan, M., Waluyo, A., & Arista, L. (2024). Negative pressure wound therapy ( NPWT ) as management of surgical site infection ( SSI ) in spinal fusion surgery. 18. https://doi.org/10.26714/mki.7.1.2024.71-83

Pelizzo, G., Calcaterra, V., Paola, C., Canonica, M., Magenes, V. C., Marinaro, M., Durante, E., Cordaro, E., & Zuccotti, G. (2025). Burns in Early Childhood : Age-Specific Causes , Risks , Management , and Implications — A Narrative Review. Children, 12(11), 1–17.

Seungchul Baek and Jun Ho Park. (2023). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy ( NPWT ) after Hybrid Reconstruction of Occipital Pressure Sore Using Local Flap and. Medicina, 59(7), 1342.

Syaiful, S., Majid, S., Abrar, E. A., & Amir, H. (2023). Pengaruh Pemberian Zinc Cream Epitel terhadap Penyembuhan Luka Bakar Derajat III: Study Kasus. Jurnal Ilmiah Permas: Jurnal Ilmiah STIKES Kendal, 13(1), 83–90.

Villalba-aguilar, C., Laredo-aguilera, J. A., Villalba-aguilar, L., Castillo-hermoso, M. I., López-fernández-roldán, Á., & Carmona-torres, J. M. (2025). Comparative Efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Conventional Treatments in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(22), 8051.

Yosef, H., Wihastyoko, L., Mustikaningrat, E. R., Kusumaningrat, R., Wruhastanti, G. S., Rinhastyanti, E. S., & Joni, Y. (2024). USING OF NEGATIVE WOUND PRESSURE THERAPY ( NPWT ): A CASE SERIES OF WOUND DISRUPTION AS A COMPLICATION. 9(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.20473/jre.v9i1.53349

Yurista, G., Anisa, N., & Rosadi, M. (2024). Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Impact of negative pressure wound therapy on in fl ammatory cell counts in porcine deep dermal burn wound models. Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 6(4), 166–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjprs.2024.09.002

Yusran Haskas, Ikhsan, I. R. (2021). EVALUASI RAGAM METODE PERAWATAN LUKA PADA PASIEN DENGAN ULKUS DIABETES : LITERATURE REVIEW. Jurnal Keperawatan Priority, 4(2), 12–28.