Feasibility of a disposable canister-free negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device for treating open wounds in horses.
Authors: Kamus Louis, Rameau Marie, Theoret Christine
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Canister-Free Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Horses Equine wound management remains challenging because horses are particularly prone to delayed healing and excessive scarring following open injuries, yet evidence-based treatment options remain limited. Researchers investigated whether PICO®, a lightweight, portable, disposable negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device designed without traditional canisters, could be practically applied to experimentally created open wounds in horses—addressing a significant gap since conventional NPWT units are too cumbersome for routine equine use. The feasibility study demonstrated that the canister-free system was technically manageable in an equine setting and appeared to facilitate the therapeutic effects associated with NPWT, including promotion of granulation tissue formation and reduction of exudate. For practitioners, this represents a potentially accessible means of delivering evidence-based wound management that could accelerate healing and minimise secondary intention complications, though implementation in field conditions and longer-term clinical outcomes would warrant further investigation. The portability and simplicity of the disposable design may make NPWT a realistic addition to the toolkit for managing problematic equine wounds, particularly when conventional approaches are proving insufficient.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •NPWT using disposable systems is now practically feasible for field and clinical use in equine practice, removing previous barriers of equipment cumbersomeness
- •This technology may help manage problematic equine wounds that typically heal slowly with excessive scarring by enhancing healing and reducing complications
- •Consider NPWT as an evidence-based option for open wounds when conventional management has failed or scarring is a concern
Key Findings
- •A disposable, canister-free NPWT device (PICO®) was successfully applied to experimental equine wounds, demonstrating practical feasibility for equine practitioners
- •The lightweight and portable design addresses previous limitations of conventional NPWT systems that were cumbersome and unsuitable for equine practice
- •NPWT showed potential to accelerate healing and prevent complications associated with second intention healing in horses