APPLICATION OF VACUUM THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF WOUNDS OF THE LOWER LIMB AND FOOT

In the present communication, the usage of vacuum therapy for treatment of severe wounds of the lower limbs is considered. This method was applied in 16 patients of different age presenting with wounds in the distal third of the lower limb and foot. The etiology of these wounds included diabetes mellitus, ulcers, profound burns, injuries and infected skin defects. The indications for vacuum therapy were deter- mined according to localization, size, duration and depth of the alteration. After edema reduction, granulation tissue occurrence and infection coping, the wound were covered with a split thickness skin graft. A successful cover was observed in 14 patients while in two patients a partial lysis of the trans- plants was established. These results show that vacuum-assisted preparation could be applied for the treatment of a variety of wound necessitating subsequent plastics.