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Evaluation of the use of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and platelet-rich plasma gel (PRP) in management of complex wounds

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European Journal of Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

“Complex wounds” is a term used to group those well-known difficult wounds, either chronic or acute, that challenge medical and nursing teams. To compare the healing of complex wounds using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Methods

Forty adult patients, suffering from complex wounds, were equally allocated to either group I (VAC) or group II (PRP) using stratified sequential allocation method. Patients’ opinion of both groups was assessed through a questionnaire. Evaluation of the wound was through main and associate assessment parameters using clinical observation and check list.

Results

There was no significant demographic or wound size and grade difference between patients of both groups. Wounds of both groups became significantly smaller compared to their initial size at the end of the study period. PRP was associated with significantly less pain in the wound. Significantly higher healing percentage was observed in VAC group but with no significant difference in the hospital stay from PRP group.

Conclusions

Both modalities attained sound healing as well as a significant decrease in the wound size at the end of follow-up period. VAC was significantly superior in highly exudative and deep wounds.

Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.

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Conflict of interest

Amr M. Moghazy, Mohamed Ahmed Ellabban, Osama A. Adly, and Fatema Ahmed declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

All ethical considerations, stated by the Faculty Ethical committee, was applied and respected including the confidentiality of data, explanation of the procedures to the patients or their legal representative and signing of and informed consent prior to inclusion in the study.

Patient consent

Patients provided written consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgery Department, Plastic Surgery Unit, Suez Canal University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

    Amr M. Moghazy, Mohamed A. Ellabban, Osama A. Adly & Fatema Y. Ahmed

Authors
  1. Amr M. Moghazy
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  2. Mohamed A. Ellabban
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  3. Osama A. Adly
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  4. Fatema Y. Ahmed
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed A. Ellabban.

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Moghazy, A.M., Ellabban, M.A., Adly, O.A. et al. Evaluation of the use of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and platelet-rich plasma gel (PRP) in management of complex wounds. Eur J Plast Surg 38, 463–470 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1140-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1140-z

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