Vacuum-assisted closure for the treatment of abdominal wounds

Abdominal wall defects pose a significant surgical challenge. The defect may result from trauma, infections, previous major surgery, or some combination of these etiologies. This article describes the Vacuum-Assisted Closure device (VAC, KCI, San Antonio, Texas) and how it can help in treating these defects.     

跟腱外露难愈创面的封闭式负压吸引治疗

目的:总结封闭式负压引流(vacuum-assisted closure,VAC)技术治疗跟腱外露创面的良好效果,为这类创面修复提供更好的治疗方法。方法:2007年1月~2014年3月,笔者应用VAC治疗18例跟腱外露患者,其中跟腱断裂术后9例,车祸伤4例,重物卡压伤2例,钢绳切割伤1例,Ⅲ度烧伤1例,Ⅲ度电击伤1例。围手术期准备后,尽快手术扩创,行创面VAC治疗。结果:所有创面经VAC治疗后,创面明显缩小,肉芽生长迅速,部分或全部覆盖外露肌腱,其中12例全部被肉芽组织覆盖,行薄中厚皮片移植修复,11例患者一期愈合。余仍有部分肌腱外露者,5例行邻近皮瓣修复,全部一期愈合;1例行人工真皮加自体刃厚皮片移植一次性修复,所有创面一期愈合率达94.4%。所有患者均随访6月~3年,无复发,局部无挛缩,功能恢复良好。结论:VAC治疗跟腱外露难愈创面,明显缩短疗程,有效防治肌腱坏死,减少手术创伤及治疗疼痛,提高愈合质量。     

Vacuum-assisted closure for complicated neonatal abdominal wounds

Background

Neonatal experience in vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for complex abdominal wounds remains scant.

Methods

A neonatal VAC protocol was instituted in 2004. The medical records of patients treated with this protocol for the ensuing 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Continuous data are reported as mean ± SD (range).

Results

Ten VAC applications occurred in 8 neonates for a 3-year period. Gestational age and age at VAC application were 30 ± 6.9 (24-40) weeks and 84.5 ± 51 (21-165) days, respectively. Birth weight and weight at VAC application were 1495 ± 1118 (615-3415) g and 3515 ± 2118 (989-7965) g, respectively. All wound complications occurred after laparotomies (7 elective, 3 emergent). Three wounds included intestinal stomas, and 3 included enterocutaneous fistulae. Average wound area at VAC initiation was 13.6 ± 6.0 (8.5-25) cm². Duration of VAC use was 19.1 ± 15.3 (7-60) days. Vacuum-assisted closure resulted in complete wound closure in all cases and did not result in any local or systemic complications. Five patients (63%) survived to discharge.

Conclusions

Vacuum-assisted closure for complicated abdominal wounds is safe and successful in neonates of any gestational age and birth weight. It provides effective wound management, even in the presence of stomas or enterocutaneous fistulae.     

Vacuum-assisted closure of wounds and anxiety

The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of anxiety in patients in whom the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) of wounds was used. Psychological evaluations were made on the day before VAC was applied and at the 10(th) day of treatment in 20 patients with traumatic wounds of the lower extremity. Anxiety was measured with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and with the State Anxiety Inventory test. The same measurements were also made in 20 further patients with similar wounds but managed with classic treatment as controls. Both groups showed a significant increase in anxiety during the 10 days. The mean (SD) differences in the anxiety scores measured during the 10-day period were significantly higher in the group treated by VAC than in the control group, State Anxiety Inventory test (14.0 (2.3) compared with 2.6 (1.2), p<0.001) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety test (4.4 (0.6) compared with 1.3 (0.6), p<0.001). Although we think that VAC is an effective tool for treating lower extremity wounds, we have concerns about possible accompanying psychological effects.     

Vacuum-assisted closure for fasciotomy wounds following compartment syndrome of the leg

This study evaluated the efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for treatment of fasciotomy wounds for traumatic compartment syndrome. The authors reviewed the records of a consecutive series of 34 patients who had compartment syndrome of the leg requiring the standard two-incision release of all four compartments and received the application of VAC therapy until the time of definitive wound closure or coverage. A matched series of 34 consecutive antecedent patients with the same entry criteria, except for the use of the VAC, were also studied and served as a control group. The main parameter of interest was the time to "definitive closure" (delayed primary closure with sutures or skin graft coverage) of the wounds. Of the 68 wounds in 34 patients managed with VAC, the average time to definitive closure for both the lateral and the medial wounds was 6.7 days. For the 70 wounds in the 34 control patients, the average time to definitive closure was 16.1 days. This difference in time to wound closure between the VAC group and the non-VAC group was statistically significant (p < .05). Subatmospheric treatment for compartment syndrome of the leg after fasciotomy theoretically helps to speed the resolution of the swelling and tissue edema that are often components of this clinical entity. Experimental work has shown vacuum-assisted wound management to be effective in hastening the resolution of wound edema, enhancing local blood flow, promoting granulation tissue, and thwarting bacterial colonization. These factors may account for its utility in the management of fasciotomy wounds in the setting of compartment syndrome of the leg.     

Vacuum-assisted abdominal closure: its role in the treatment of complex abdominal and perineal wounds. Experience in 48 patients

INTRODUCTION: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a promising approach for the management of complex abdominal and perineal wounds. This paper summarizes our experience with this therapeutic modality and demonstrates its efficacity in difficult situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 until December 2005, 48 patients (age 30-89) were treated with VAC therapy for open abdomen, infected laparotomy wounds, or tissue loss due to debridement of Fournier's gangrene. Wound dressings were changed every 2-3 days. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (79%) had major co-morbid conditions liable to impact negatively on wound healing. The treatment duration with VAC varied from 20-30 days with an average of eleven dressing changes (minimum 3-maximum 18). Treatment was effective in all patients. Spontaneous closure was achieved in 36 cases (75%); nine patients (19%) required a split-thickness skin graft, and three (6%) underwent delayed secondary closure. CONCLUSION: In our institution, VAC has become the treatment of choice for complex abdominal and perineal wounds. It is a safe, simple, and effective technique to speed wound healing and it has reduced the duration of hospital treatment in difficult clinical situations and in patients whose general condition is often severely compromised.     

Vacuum-assisted closure treatment complicated by anasarca

The vacuum-assisted closure system has proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of a variety of wound types. In this case report, we present a rare complication of anasarca due to hypoalbuminemia, which developed during vacuum-assisted closure treatment. The patient was known to suffer from clinically stable congestive heart failure and had not had previous hypoalbuminemia. We emphasize the need for careful monitoring of electrolytes and proteins in compromised patients that have marked wound drainage when they are treated with a negative-pressure apparatus.     

Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis

A new technique using vacuum-assisted closure was successfully applied in 3 patients with poststernotomy mediastinitis. After surgical debridement, this vacuum-assisted closure technique has made it possible to avoid the need for secondary surgical closure (including direct secondary surgical closure and secondary surgical closure by use of vascularized muscle flaps). A healed stable sternotomy wound can be achieved using this new technique.     

Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of degloving injuries.

Degloving injuries range from the occult, easily missed injury to obvious massive tissue damage. The serious nature of these wounds is exacerbated by mismanagement. It is generally accepted that the degloved tissue should be excised, defatted, fenestrated, and reapplied as a full-thickness skin graft. Dressings are required that provide gentle, evenly distributed pressure and avoid shear stress to the newly grafted skin. Numerous types of dressings have been devised but all are cumbersome and time-consuming. We have found the Vacuum-Assisted Closure device to be a rapid, effective, and easy-to-use alternative to traditional methods. The authors examine their experience using a vacuum-assisted closure device to treat nine degloving injuries in 5 patients and discuss the important aspects in using this technique.     

Vacuum assisted closure therapy for treatment of complex wounds in replanted extremities

The object of this study was to compare the outcomes of the vacuum assisted closure (VAC) therapy and conventional wound care with dressing change for treatment of complex wounds in patients with replantation of amputated upper and lower extremities. Data of 43 patients with replantation of amputated extremities from May 2004 to December 2011 were reviewed. There were 18 wounds of 18 patients with replantation, which were treated by dressing change and 26 wounds of 25 patients by VAC therapy. The outcomes were evaluated by the survival rate of replanted extremities, growth of granulation tissue, interval between wound treatment and secondary procedure and eventual secondary wound coverage methods. Vascular thromboses were found in 3 patients with wound treatment by dressing change and 5 by VAC. All replants of two groups of patients survived after salvage procedures. The wound score was 3.6 ± 0.7 in the conventional dressing change group and 5.8 ± 0.7 in the VAC group at the sixth day after treatment, respectively. The intervals between wound treatment and secondary wound coverage procedure were 12.0 ± 1.7 days in the dressing change group and 6.1 ± 0.7 days in the VAC group. Flaps were applied for wound coverage in 9 out of 18 (50.0%) wounds in the dressing change group and 5 out of 26 (19.2%) in the VAC group (P < 0.05), when the wounds of rest of patients were covered by the skin graft. The results showed that VAC could promote the growth of granulation tissue of wound, decrease the need of flap for wound coverage, and did not change the survival of replantation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:620–624, 2013.     

Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of extensive lymphangiomas in children

BackgroundThe management of lymphangiomas in children is a complex problem with frequent recurrence and infection. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) devices have been shown to accelerate the healing of open wounds. We hypothesized that VAC therapy might decrease complications after resection of lymphangiomas.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on 13 children (August 2005 to April 2010) who were patients undergoing lymphangioma resection with postoperative VAC therapy. Patient demographics, size and location of the lymphangioma, VAC duration and number of changes, hospital stay, complications, need for further surgery, and length of follow-up were recorded.ResultsThirteen children (mean age, 8 years; mean weight, 34 kg) underwent 15 operations for lymphangiomas followed by postoperative VAC therapy. Locations included the head and neck, thorax and abdomen, and lower extremity. The mean VAC duration was 19 days, and they underwent a mean of 2.6 VAC changes. Six children had operative closure of the wound at a mean of 15 days postoperative. The remaining patients underwent closure by secondary intention. There were no recurrences. Complications included VAC device malfunctions requiring intervention and wound infections. Mean follow-up was 289 days.ConclusionPostoperative VAC therapy for the treatment of lymphangiomas can be an effective adjunct to surgical treatment by decreasing risks of recurrence and infection.     

Vacuum-assisted closure with a portable system for treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis

The patient was a 50-year-old man with diabetes who was on insulin. Complications of mediastinitis developed after coronary bypass surgery, which had been performed for unstable angina. Upon hospital admission, the patient was treated with antibiotics, and the wound was cleaned on a daily basis. However, because the patient’s fever persisted, the wound was completely opened surgically and found to be deep and large. Because the patient’s condition was relatively stable, minimally invasive vacuum-assisted closure was selected. We fabricated a portable vacuum-assisted closure system that imposed few limitations on individual movement. Vacuum-assisted closure treatment resulted in both rapid abatement of fever and improved granulation. Dressings were changed once a week; the wound was closed 4 weeks after vacuum-assisted closure and healed completely. Vacuum-assisted closure may be an effective therapy for postoperative mediastinitis, and our portable vacuum-assisted closure system may significantly reduce patient distress as well as direct medical care.     

Vacuum-assisted wound closure: a new approach to spinal wounds with exposed hardware

STUDY DESIGN: The use of vacuum-assisted therapy to close upper thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal wounds was studied retrospectively. Two patients whose wounds failed conservative management were successfully treated by negative pressure therapy. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the efficacy of applying vacuum therapy on patients with exposed spinal hardware and summarized current knowledge about this treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vacuum therapy was applied three times on two patients. METHODS: Success was defined as a stable, closed wound that required no future surgery and had no signs of chronic infection. RESULTS: Both patients' wounds were closed successfully and have received follow-up treatment for up to 10 months with no sign of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The cases illustrate the usefulness of vacuum-assisted therapy as an adjunct in closing complex back wounds with exposed spinal hardware. In the authors' experience, it helps establish a soft tissue envelope for wound healing and simplifies the need for future surgery.