Introduction
Nurses are crucial in wound management, providing essential care to patients with acute and chronic wounds. An interdisciplinary approach to wound management requires nurses to know the latest evidence-based practices, including Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT). The article “Impact of Previous Irradiation on Wound Healing after Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients—A Systematic Review gathers and evaluates existing evidence to provide a comprehensive overview of a particular subject (Faisal et al., 2021). This work thoroughly examines the research relating to the employment of NPWT for neck and head cancer sufferers, emphasizing how prior radiation and other potential hazards may affect the healing process.
Main Body
The healing of wounds is a multifaceted process, and the results of earlier radiation treatment and diabetes mellitus can have a notably negative effect. This study examines the impact radiation exposure and other factors have on wound healing for patients with head and neck cancer who are utilizing NPWT. Understanding how these variables affect treatment outcomes is necessary to ensure the best possible outcomes, reduce costs, and reduce hospital burden (Faisal et al., 2021). Knowing the effects of NPWT on head and neck cancer patients is important so they can receive the most effective care. Knowing the economic and workload implications of NPWT for the hospital is beneficial. Knowing the risks and benefits of NPWT is crucial for providing the best possible care to head and neck cancer patients regarding wound healing.
This study has identified several interesting findings from its comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. NPWT is frequently used in clinical settings, with the neck being the most commonly affected area. This treatment method has been highly effective, with an overall success rate of 87.5% (Faisal et al., 2021). In addition, the research uncovered that pre-existing radiation exposure and diabetes mellitus could be linked to impaired wound healing following negative pressure wound therapy. The results of this study provide valuable insight into the efficacy of NPWT and the various factors that can influence healing outcomes. However, it is essential to note that the data is based on a relatively small sample size of only 15 studies, which may limit the generalizability of the results (Faisal et al., 2021). Furthermore, the study was limited by the availability of literature, and further research is necessary to confirm the findings.
Nurses are in an ideal position to optimize wound healing in head and neck cancer patients. Nurses must comprehensively understand the implications of previous irradiation and DM on wound healing (Faisal et al., 2021). Nurses should be aware of managing risk factors such as DM with medications and lifestyle modifications. Additionally, nurses should be able to educate patients on the importance of proper wound care and nutrition to optimize wound healing.
The discussion above is an interesting set of findings highlighting nurses’ important role in healing wounds in patients with head and neck cancer. It is good that the findings stress the importance of understanding the implications of previous radiation or diabetes on wound healing and managing risk factors related to diabetes. Moreover, it is important to note the role of nurses in educating patients on proper wound care and nutrition (Faisal et al., 2021). However, it would be beneficial to include more specific information on how nurses can identify risk factors, educate patients, and what other treatments are available to optimize wound healing. Additionally, discussing how nurses can collaborate with other healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes would further enhance the findings.
The researchers extensively searched databases such as PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) studies in individuals with head and neck cancer. They only included studies that met the inclusion criteria, which were limited to studies involving NPWT in patients with head cancer and cancer of the neck (Faisal et al., 2021). Faisal et al., 2021). The search yielded 15 studies that met the criteria and were included in the review. The studies were then assessed using the PRISMA guidelines, and the review results were compared to current evidence in the field. Furthermore, the authors discussed the findings concerning the role of NPWT in treating head and neck cancer (Faisal et al., 2021). The results of this review provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of NPWT for head and neck cancer patients.
However, the authors provided no information about the search terms or the type of NPWT products included in the review. Furthermore, it was unclear how the authors assessed the quality of the studies or how they compared the review results to the current evidence in the field (Faisal et al., 2021). Additionally, the authors did not discuss the potential risks associated with the use of NPWT in this population and the potential limitations of the review. Finally, the authors could have discussed the potential for further research in this field.
This study confirms the effectiveness of NPWT in healing wounds in people with head and neck cancer. However, pre-existing diabetes and radiation therapy appear to hinder wound healing when using this treatment. To optimize wound healing with NPWT, it is essential to consider the management of diabetes (Faisal et al., 2021). Furthermore, further research into the use of NPWT should be conducted, as it can reduce hospital stays, costs, and the overall burden on healthcare systems.
Nevertheless, the article does not provide concrete evidence for the effects of NPWT on hospital stays and costs. It is possible that the beneficial effects of NPWT are limited to a certain population or that the effects are not substantial enough to impact hospital stays and costs (Faisal et al., 2021). It would be useful to have further research on the effects of NPWT on hospital stays and costs to draw more definitive conclusions. Additionally, more research is needed to determine if the management of DM is a modifiable factor that can affect the efficacy of NPWT.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article has investigated the impact of NPWT in healing wounds in head and neck cancer sufferers and has provided an evidence-based assessment. It has been established that prior irradiation and diabetes mellitus can affect the time it takes for wounds to heal following NPWT. Nurses are key players in the interdisciplinary wound management team and are in a prime position to optimize the healing of wounds in cancer patients. They should be aware of the importance of managing risk factors such as DM and be able to educate patients on proper wound care and nutrition.
References
Faisal, M., Berend, P. D., Seemann, R., Janik, S., Grasl, S., Ritzengruber, A., Mendel, H., Jamshed, A., Hussain, R., & Erovic, B. M. (2021). Impact of previous irradiation on wound healing after negative pressure wound therapy in head and neck cancer patients – a systematic review. Cancers, 13(10), 2482. Web.