In wound healing, how would you decide whether to use HVPC negative or positive polarity initially?

• A. Negative polarity is typically used in the acute inflammatory phase to promote edema reduction and bacterial control; switch to positive polarity later to support granulation and epithelialization based on wound response
• B. Always use positive polarity
• C. Polarity does not matter
• D. Alternate polarity every minute

Answer: (A)

In HVPC wound therapy, the polarity is chosen to support what the wound needs in each healing phase. At the start, during the acute inflammatory stage, edema and bacterial load are common concerns. Negative polarity is used because it helps create conditions that reduce edema and assist in controlling bacterial burden, helping the wound bed normalize. Once the wound shows progression toward healing—with healthy granulation tissue forming and epithelialization beginning—the goal shifts to building new tissue. Positive polarity at this stage tends to promote fibroblast activity, collagen deposition, and epithelial cell migration, speeding up granulation and closure.

So the best approach is to start with negative polarity to manage inflammation and infection risk, then switch to positive polarity when the wound response indicates it's time to rebuild tissue. Avoid sticking with one polarity throughout or alternating polarity every minute, as those strategies don’t align with the phase-specific goals of wound healing.