Experience with local negative pressure (vacuum method) in the treatment of complex wounds

Abstract

Context and Objective: Use of topical negative pressure over difficult to heal wounds has been studied. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects from negative pressure in the treatment of complex wounds. Design and Setting: Case series developed at Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sāo Paulo. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with complex wounds were treated with the vacuum system and then underwent a surgical procedure to close the wound. Results: 85% of the skin grafts took well, and 87.5% of the local flaps were successfull, thus demonstrating adequate wound preparation. The wounds were closed within shorter times than observed using other conventional treatments in two cases, the vacuum system was also used to stablize the skin grafts over the wounds. Conclusions: Use of the vacuum method is safe and efficient for preparing wounds for surgical closure. It allows for an improvement of local wound conditions, and healthy granulation tissue develops with control over local infection. Copyright © 2006, Associação Paulista de Medicina.