The Clinical Application of Vacuum Sealing Drainage (VSD) in Skeletal Trauma

Objective To introduce the clinical features of vacuum sealing drainage(VSD)to repair skin and soft tissue defects in skeletal trauma.Methods The clinical data of VSD to repair skin and soft tissue defects in 79 cases were retrospectively analyzed.(,July,2007 to January,2009).Results In 4 cases of osteomyelitis,After application of VSD device 2～4 times,the wounds generally were clean,and had no signs of infection or bacterial colonization.All wound dimensions were decreased,the granulation in the surface of wound were all fresh,second stage closure or skin grafting was done successfully to close the wound.In 6 cases of exposed bones and plates after operation,After application of VSD device 2～4 times,All wound dimensions were decreased,the granulation in the surface of wound were all fresh,and a part of the granulation in the surface of wound cover the plates,second stage closure or skin grafting was done successfully to close the wound In 8 cases of infected wounds,After application of VSD,with positive bacterialculture,application 14 days average.In 10 cases,the skin grafts survived completely;In 18 cases of open fracture were treated by external fixator following debridement.Wound surface or cavitieswere filled with polyvinyl alcohol foamswith embedded drainage tubes connected to vacuum bottle.After application of VSD device 1～3 times,All wound without infect,the granulation in the surface of wound were all fresh,second stage closure or skin grafting was done successfully to close the wound or by extemal fixator.In 16 cases of fresh soft tissue defects After application of VSD device survived completely,In 8 cases of abscess,after cut,application of VSD device 1～2 times,the granulation in the surface of wound were all fresh,In 3 cases of bedsore,application of VSD device 1～3 times,the granulation were all fresh,In 8 cases of skin press-off,application of VSD device 1～2 times,the granulation were all fresh,the skin grafts survived completely;all patients were followed up for a mean duration of 18.4 months(range,5 to 25 months) without chronic inflammation.Conclusion VSD appeared to be the effective treatment of open soft tissue injuries,reduce the times of the traditional method of dressing wound,and facilitate wound,alleviate patient′s suffering,lighten the doctor and nurse burden.