Open fractures are still a challenging situation for every trauma surgeon. Soft tissue defects are often associated with necrotic areas and with bacterial superinfection especially after open fractures. Up to 40 % of those injuries are leading to an amputation.� Unfortunately the treatment options of those wounds are still limited.

The basic principles of trauma surgery as initial stabilization, antibiotic treatment, rinsing and debridement often do not lead to a satisfying healing. The NPWT is a great advancement in the treatment of trauma wounds. A wound surface reduction is commonly achieved. But before you can reduce the wound surface a clean wound, with no bacterial growth, should be established.