Using Negative Pressure Therapy for Wound Healing in the Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infant (Micropreemie).

BACKGROUND

The term micropreemie describes an infant born weighing less than 1 pound 12 ounces (800 g) or before 26 weeks' gestation. The gastrointestinal tract of these premature infants is fragile due to developmental immaturity. In this case study, we describe our experience with wound care following surgical intervention for necrotizing enterocolitis in a micropreemie.

CASE: Baby A is a female who was born at 23 weeks 5 days; she weighed 530 g. On day 12 of life, a sonogram was interpreted as suspicious for intestinal perforation. She underwent exploratory laparotomy with ileal perforation resection and stoma formation. A patch made from porcine small intestine submucosa was used to close the abdomen and negative pressure therapy using an open cell reticulated black foam was placed to assist with wound healing and decrease the need for frequent dressing changes.

CONCLUSION

Our experience with this case demonstrates the feasibility of negative pressure wound therapy in selected micropreemie infants. Negative pressure therapy was effective in wound closure and decreased the number of dressing changes anticipated using conventional wound care.