Expression of MMP-8 in Pressure Injuries in Spinal Cord Injury Patients Managed by Negative Pressure Wound Therapy or Conventional Wound Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and wound-healing outcome measures (length, width, and depth, exudate amount, and tissue type) in pressure injuries (PIs) of spinal cord-injured patients treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using a novel negative pressure device versus PI treated with wet to moist gauze (conventional wound care).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects And Setting: Forty-four spinal cord-injured patients with stage 3 and 4 sacral PI participated in the study.