Abstract:
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used to support healing of surgical incisions, with reported clinical benefits including improved perfusion and reduced tissue strain and oedema. In this study, finite element (FE) simulations were developed to evaluate the ability of different NPWT systems to stabilize the incision line by reducing incisional strain and generating beneficial peri‑wound stresses. The analysis compared two intended negative pressure levels (−80 and −125 mmHg) and two dressing architectures: a multilayer absorptive (MLA) dressing and a peel‑and‑place (PP) dressing.
Methods
FE models representing NPWT dressing configurations and a soft‑tissue incision were constructed in Abaqus 2022, using material properties informed by laboratory testing. The simulation workflow consisted of three sequential steps: suture closure, dressing application, and application of negative pressure. Key output measures included the reduction of peak skin strain across the incision and the magnitude of positive peri‑wound tissue stress generated by each dressing configuration.
Results
MLA‑based NPWT systems demonstrated the greatest reduction in incisional strain, achieving decreases of 47% and 63% at −125 and −80 mmHg, respectively. In comparison, the PP dressing at −125 mmHg produced a 22% strain reduction. The highest enhancement of positive peri‑wound stress occurred with the MLA dressing at −125 mmHg, yielding a 90% increase, whereas the PP dressing at −125 mmHg provided a 24% increase. A 10% decrease in peri‑wound stress was observed for the MLA dressing at −80 mmHg.
Conclusions
The results highlight the influence of dressing design and applied pressure level on NPWT performance. Both factors substantially affect the capacity of NPWT systems to reduce incisional strain and apply supportive peri‑wound stress—mechanical parameters considered important for promoting optimal healing of surgical incisions. These FE models demonstrate the value of simulation in guiding NPWT system design and pressure‑setting strategies.
Presenters:
Alit Putra Senior Developer – Simulation - Mölnlycke Health Care Alit Putra is a results‑driven engineering professional with a Ph.D. in Injury Biomechanics and over 10 years of specialized experience in Computer‑Aided Engineering, with a strong focus on explicit finite element simulations. His career has centered on solving complex problems at the intersection of technology and human health, contributing to advancements in human body modeling, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, and automotive crash analysis. |
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