Abstract

• PURPOSE: To evaluate the negative pressure wound therapy for traumatic soft tissue defects by vacuum-assised closure (V.A.C.(R)). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 patients with traumatic soft tissue defects were treated by using V.A.C.(R) which removes edema fluid, eliminates an extrinsic cause of microcirculatory embarrassment and may directly stimulate cellular proliferation of reparative granulation tissue. We removed all necrotic tissue prior to application of the V.A.C.(R). The foam dressing was placed into direct contact with wound and was changed every 48~72 hours. The setting for vacuum pump was continuous pressure of 100 to 125 mm Hg. C-reactive protein was checked to evaluate wound infection. We measured wound size and total duration of treatment. RESULTS: Mean duration of treatment was 25.2 days and mean decrease of wound size was 31.9%. The concentration of CRP after V.A.C.(R) therapy reduced by day 8 below 1.0 mg/dl and gradually decreased to normal level by day 10. All patients showed hastened wound healing by rapid formation of granulation tissue. CONCLUSION: Negative pressure wound therapy is useful in patients with traumatic soft tissue defects, which reduces treatment duration and cost by rapid wound healing and effective infection control.
• Key words: Soft tissue defect, Negative pressure wound therapy

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Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Using Modified Vacuum-Assisted Closure in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
  Bong Jae Kim, Ji Hye Suk, A Ra Jo, Jong Kun Ha, Chan Woo Jung, Seong Oh Park, Hyung Taek Park, Mi Kyung Kim
  Journal of Korean Diabetes.2011; 12(2): 122.     CrossRef
• Acute Management of Soft Tissue Defect in Open Fracture
  Ki-Chul Park
  Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2010; 23(1): 155.     CrossRef