|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Fisher A. Brady B.
Vacuum assisted wound closure therapy.
Issues in Emerging Health Technologies. (44):1-6, 2003 Mar.
Abstract
Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) therapy is designed to promote the formation of granulation tissue for faster healing in the wound beds of patients with acute and chronic wounds. Four controlled trials and one interim analysis provide poor quality data and weak evidence that VAC therapy may be superior to conventional methods used in healing wounds. Complications with VAC therapy are uncommon. Studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of VAC therapy when the types of dressings are the same for patients in the groups being compared and VAC therapy is the only differing intervention.
Evans D. Land L.
Health and Social Care Research Centre, University of Central England (UCE), Ravensbury House, Westbourne Road,
Topical negative pressure for treating chronic wounds: a systematic review. [Review] [30 refs]
British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 54(3):238-42, 2001 Apr.
Abstract
Some wounds take a long time to heal, fail to heal or recur, causing significant pain and discomfort to the patient and cost to the National Health Service. This review assesses the effectiveness of topical negative pressure (TNP) in treating chronic wounds. The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Trials Register was searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of TNP on chronic-wound healing. Eligibility for inclusion, data extraction and details of trial quality were conducted by two reviewers independently. A narrative synthesis of results was undertaken as only two small trials, with different outcome measures, fulfilled the selection criteria. Trial 1 considered any type of chronic wound, trial 2 considered diabetic foot ulcers. Both trials compared TNP with saline-gauze dressings. Trial 1 reported a statistically significant difference in the percentage change in wound volume after 6 weeks, in favour of TNP. Trial 2 reported a difference in the number of days to healing and a difference in the percentage change in wound surface area after 2 weeks, in favour of TNP. These two small trials provide weak evidence to suggest that TNP may be superior to saline-gauze dressings in terms of wound healing. However, due to the small sample sizes and the methodological limitations of the studies, these findings must be interpreted with extreme caution. The effects of TNP on cost, quality of life, pain and comfort were not reported. It was not possible to determine the optimum TNP regimen. Further high-quality RCTs that address these issues are required. Copyright 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. [References: 30]
Clare MP. Fitzgibbons TC. McMullen ST. Stice RC. Hayes DF. Henkel L.
Experience with the vacuum assisted closure negative pressure technique in the treatment of non-healing diabetic and dysvascular wounds.
Foot & Ankle International. 23(10):896-901, 2002 Oct.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to report our experience with the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) negative pressure technique in patients with non-healing wounds of the foot, ankle, and lower limb. We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients with non-healing wounds of the lower extremity who underwent treatment using the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) device. Thirteen of 17 (76%) had diabetes mellitus, nine of whom were insulin-dependent, and 10 of whom had associated peripheral neuropathy. Eight of 17 (47%) had severe peripheral vascular disease. All had failed previous management with serial wound debridements and dressing changes; 15 of 17 (88%) had previously completed at least one course of oral antibiotics. Thirteen of 17 (76%) had previously undergone operative irrigation and debridement of the wounds; six of 17 (35%) had previously undergone revascularization procedures of the involved extremity. Five of 17 (29%) had wounds necessitating an amputation procedure prior to the present treatment; seven of 17 (41%) had failed treatment with local growth factors prior to the present treatment. Average length of treatment with the VAC device was 8.2 weeks. Fourteen of 17 (82%) wounds successfully healed; four underwent split-thickness skin grafting for wound closure; four were briefly treated with local growth factors; six were treated with only dressing changes following VAC treatment. Three of 17 (18%) wounds failed VAC treatment; all three patients had diabetes and had wounds located in the midfoot or forefoot; two of three had severe peripheral vascular disease. Our results indicate that the Vacuum Assisted Closure negative pressure technique is emerging as an acceptable option for wound care of the lower extremity. Not all patients are candidates for such treatment; those patients with severe peripheral vascular disease or smaller forefoot wounds may be best treated by other modalities. Larger wounds seem to be better suited for skin grafting or two- stage primary closure.
|
|
|
|
|