The clinical effects of vacuum-assisted closure wound therapy in 53 patients with chronic wounds

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of vacuum-assisted closure(VAC) wound therapy in the treatment of various chronic wounds.Methods Fifty-three patients(69 wounds) with stage-IV pressure ulcers,traumatic wounds,surgical wounds and diabetic foot ulcers were recruited in the study.The wounds were treated by-125mmHg negative pressure and intermittent suction for 21 days.Then,the patients with surgical indicators were transferred to surgical treatment,and those without surgical indicators were treated by standard moist wound therapy.The wound size and depth,wound temperature,change of pH value,the time of granulation coverage,the healing rate and healing time were recorded at 7,14 and 21 days after treatment.Results The healing rate of VAC wound therapy was 78.26 percent and the average healing time was(94.00±63.26) days.The 43 wounds in 30 patients were healed after VAC and moist wound therapy,and the 11 wounds in 10 patients were healed after VAC and surgical therapy.Twelve patients continued wound therapy at home after VAC and the wounds were healed in five cases within five months.The total healing rate was 85.51 percent.The wound temperature was significantly increased and the pH value was significantly decreased after VAC wound therapy for 21 days(P0.01).The average time of granulation coverage was(22.96±12.20) days.Conclusions VAC wound therapy is effective for the treatment of various chronic wounds.It can create a suitable wound healing environment to enhance granulation growth and wound healing.