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Vacuum‐assisted closure for radiation‐associated wound complications
Author(s) -
Siegel Herrick J.,
Long James L.,
Watson Kevin M.,
Fiveash John B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.20846
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , soft tissue , wound closure , radiation therapy , wound healing
Background and Objectives Vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) technology has proven to be effective in the management of soft tissue loss from infections, vascular insufficiency, and traumatic disorders and may have a similar benefit in the musculoskeletal oncology patient. This study reports a single institution's experience with VAC technology in the management of radiation‐associated wound complications in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Materials Twenty‐two patients treated with both surgical intervention and radiation therapy developed either superficial or deep wound complications that were managed with the VAC device. This study group was compared to a retrospectively identified comparison group of 19 patients, in which the VAC device was not used. Results Hospital stay ( P < 0.025), length of overall treatment ( P < 0.025), number of operative debridements ( P < 0.05) and success of wound closure without the need for soft tissue transposition ( P < 0.01) was found to be significantly less in the study groups as compared to those not treated with the VAC device. Conclusion VAC technology appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of radiation‐associated wound complications. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:575–582. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.