Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 1226-2102
eISSN 2005-8918
    J Korean Orthop Assoc. 2012 Feb;47(1):41-47. Korean.
    Published online Feb 29, 2012.
    https://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2012.47.1.41
    Copyright © 2012 by The Korean Orthopaedic Association
    Original Article

    Application of Vacuum-assisted Closure in Difficult Wounds

    Heun Guyn Jung, M.D., Sungchan Ki, M.D., Byunghak Kim, M.D., Kwanwoo Kim, M.D., Yungkyung Kim, B.S.N., Yugyung Cho, B.S.N. and Yongsoo Choi, M.D.
      • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kwangju Christian Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
    • Correspondence to: Yongsoo Choi, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kwangju Christian Hospital, 264, Yangrim-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju 503-715, Korea. TEL: +82-62-650-5060, FAX: +82-62-650-5066, Email: stemcellchoi@yahoo.co.kr
    Received May 24, 2011; Revised July 23, 2011; Accepted September 24, 2011.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    We analyzed the usefulness of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing to facilitate the healing of difficult wounds by comparing the results of conventional dressings.

    Materials and Methods

    We selected 20 cases for the experimental group (VAC group) and 20 cases for the control group (conventional dressing), and investigated the change in wound size, formation of granulation tissue, and duration of wound healing in the two groups.

    Results

    In the VAC group, the size of wound decreased from 60.2±59.1 cm2 to 29.7±18.8 cm2 (p=0.001). In the control group, it decreased from 60.3±83.3 cm2 to 34.4±47.6 cm2 (p=0.04). For formation of granulation, it increased from 1.2±0.4 to 2.7±0.6 (p=0.001) in the VAC group and from 1.2±0.4 to 2.4±0.5 in the control group. For the duration of healing, it took 17.5±8.3 days for the VAC group and 22.9±22.0 days in the control group (p=0.857). However there were no statistically significant differences in all the parameters between the 2 groups (p>0.05).

    Conclusion

    The clinical application of VAC to difficult wound yield comparable results in terms of a decrease in wound size, formation of granulation, and the duration of healing. VAC dressing could be an alternative treatment option for a difficult wound considering the advantage of saving medical human resources.

    Keywords
    wound; wound healing; vacuum-assisted closure

    Figures

    Figure 1
    Comparison of the wound size between the CD group and the VAC group. VAC, vacuum-assisted closure; CD, conventional dressing.

    Figure 2
    Changes in the grade of granulation between the CD group and the VAC group. VAC, vacuum-assisted closure; CD, conventional dressing.

    Figure 3
    The difference in the period of dressing between the CD group and the VAC group. VAC, vacuum-assisted closure; CD, conventional dressing.

    Figure 4
    Clinical application of VAC for a 70-year-old female with diabetes mellitus foot (A) about 15×10 cm sized necrotic soft tissue infection developed on the left foot due to burn. (B) Debridement was performed. (C) After application of VAC for 2 weeks, the size of defect decreased to 10×3 cm. (D) Then, a full thickness skin graft was performed. VAC, vacuum-assisted closure.

    Tables

    Table 1
    The Summary of Data of VAC Group (Experimental Group)

    Table 2
    The Summary of Data of the Conventional Dressing Group (Control Group)

    Table 3
    Grade of the Wound Granulation

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    MeSH Terms
    Bandages
    Granulation Tissue
    Humans
    Imidazoles
    Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy
    Nitro Compounds
    Wound Healing
    Metrics
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