Prospective Study to Evaluate the Clinical and Functional Outcome of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Management of Compound Fractures of Lower Limb
Pranav Kothiyal1*, Mohd. Shifa Hasan2, Arpit Vishnoi3, Vijay Gangwar4
1Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, India.
2Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, India.
3Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, India.
4Junior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, India.
*Corresponding Author: Pranav Kothiyal, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, India.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAOR.2026.06.032
Received: September 15, 2026
Published: October 26, 2026
Citation: Kothiyal P, Hasan MS, Vishnoi A, Gangwar V. Prospective Study to Evaluate the Clinical and Functional Outcome of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Management of Compound Fractures of Lower Limb. SVOA Orthopaedics 2026, 6:5, 242-251. doi: 10.58624/SVOAOR.2026.06.032
Abstract
Background: Compound fractures of the lower limb are frequently associated with extensive soft-tissue damage, contamination, and a high risk of infection and delayed wound healing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has emerged as an effective adjunct in the management of complex traumatic wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of NPWT in the management of compound fractures of the lower limb.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted at SGRR medical institute, Dehradun, india on patients presenting with compound fractures of the lower limb who were managed with standard fracture stabilization, wound debridement, and NPWT. Clinical outcomes were assessed in terms of wound healing, infection, requirement for secondary procedures or flap coverage, duration of hospital stay, and time to definitive wound closure. Functional outcome was evaluated using Long beach wound scoring system during follow up.
Results: NPWT resulted in progressive wound improvement, reduction in wound size and exudate, and development of healthy granulation tissue. Most wounds could be successfully prepared for delayed primary closure or definitive soft-tissue coverage. The incidence of wound-related complications was low, and progressive improvement in functional outcomes was observed during follow-up.
Conclusion: NPWT is a useful adjunct in the management of compound fractures of the lower limb. It facilitates wound bed preparation, promotes granulation tissue formation, reduces wound complications, and may help achieve earlier definitive wound coverage with satisfactory functional outcomes.
Keywords: Compound Fractures, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy