Introducing an innovation in NPWT for acute care settings

Effective debridement, exudate management and bioburden control will reduce the risk of infection and delayed healing. A combination of instillation and negative pressure wound therapy can help achieve these goals </jats:p

Use of 3D photography in complex-wound assessment

Objective: To review the evidence to support three-dimensional (3D) photographic imaging in wound care and undertake a feasibility evaluation of one device in the clinical environment. Method: A literature review was undertaken of the role of stereophotogrammetry in wound care. Subsequently, a 3D imaging and data storage system was selected and evaluated in two representative case studies within the clinical environment of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. Results: The review suggested that 3D imaging has the potential to provide more accurate data on which to base treatment decisions. In practice, the device was found to be relatively easy to operate and sufficiently robust to handle the demands of clinical practice. However, the high initial cost of the unit and the time taken to download images to the database meant that its benefits were limited to more complex wound types. Conclusion: Three-dimensional photography has the potential to play a role in management options; however, current technical issues limit its potential and the incorporation of a highly defined image (similar to that of a standard digital 2D photograph) within its 3D representation would make it more powerful. Declaration of interest: Access to the digital imaging device and user software was provided by Eykona Medical Ltd. The company had no influence over the evaluation process or the content of this paper. The authors have no additional conflicts of interest to declare