Evaluation of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)

National Committee for the Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS)

Aims of the assessment	* To evaluate the clinical data available * To define the clinical situations that could justify use of NPWT * To recommend conditions of use and prescription
Date	January 2010
Summary	Since there are no clinical studies with a good level of evidence, this evaluation is based mainly on the expertise of the multidisciplinary working group. Limited-period use and the targeting of precisely defined clinical situations were accepted for certain chronic wounds (use as second-line therapy) or acute wounds (possible use as first-line therapy). In addition, precise conditions of use were defined.
Method	The method adopted is based on the critical analysis of data from the scientific literature and the manufacturers’ data. The opinion of the healthcare professionals in a multidisciplinary working group was taken into account. Manufacturers and government bodies were approached.
Requested by	HAS initiative
Literature search	The analysis covers 14 literature reviews produced by independent bodies (literature reviews, whether or not included in a technological evaluation study or in the preparation of recommendations) and 13 randomised controlled studies.