Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Treatment of Limb Wounds: A Case Series of 42 Horses

Traumatic limb injuries are common in horses. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been proven to promote wound healing in human medicine. It has also been described for the treatment of wounds in horses. In this retrospective study, clinical records of 42 (n = 42) animals were assessed. Categories of wounds, duration of NPWT application, frequency of resetting the NPWT device, technical complications, and tolerance to the procedure were recorded. 42 wounds were classified as bony (n = 15; 36 %), articular (n = 14; 33 %), tenosynovial (n = 9; 21%), muscular (n = 2; 5%) and cutaneous (n = 2; 5 %). NPWT was used to help (1) first intention healing by preoperative (n = 3; 7 %) or postoperative (n = 7; 17%) application, (2) second intention healing (n = 31; 74%), and (3) delayed primary closure (n = 1; 2%). Duration of NPWT application ranged from 2 to 36 days (mean 11.5), with the system staying in place for periods ranging from 1 to 7 days (mean 4.5). In 69% (n = 29) of the cases, healing was considered satisfactory at discharge. 26 % (n = 11) of horses were discharged whilst ideally NPWT should have been continued. 2 animals (n = 2; 5%) were euthanized after surgery due to unrelenting pain. The procedure was well tolerated except in 1 horse who showed signs of discomfort at the first application. This study demonstrated that NPWT with long periods of application can be used successfully to manage various types of limb wounds.