Open AccessVAC therapy for the treatment of complex wounds after cardio‐thoracic surgery
Author(s) -
De Caridi Giovanni,
Serra Raffaele,
Massara Mafalda,
Barone Mario,
Grande Raffaele,
Butrico Lucia,
Mastroroberto Pasquale,
Franciscis Stefano,
Monaco Francesco
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international wound journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1742-481X
pISSN - 1742-4801
DOI - 10.1111/iwj.12369
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , debridement (dental) , rehabilitation , cardiothoracic surgery , wound closure , negative pressure wound therapy , thoracic cavity , wound healing , alternative medicine , pathology , physical therapy
The aim of this study is to report our experience about the treatment of complex sternal and thoracic wounds following cardiothoracic surgery, using vacuum‐assisted closure ( VAC therapy. Twelve patients presenting with sternal (five cases) and thoracic (seven cases) wounds that were difficult to heal were treated through VAC therapy after the first surgical debridement. The duration of VAC application ranged from 12 to 36 days with an average hospital stay of 24·6 ± 11·4 days. During a mean follow‐up of 12 months, we observed complete wound healing in seven cases (58·3%), in an average period of 25·5 ± 14·3 days; one patient died during follow‐up, two patients were lost to follow‐up and two patients required definitive surgical closure of the wound cavity. In conclusion, VAC therapy promotes faster wound healing, with shorter hospital stay and subsequent lesser in‐hospital cost, reducing the mortality rate in the long run. It also promotes early rehabilitation and alleviates the need for a second procedure, thus improving patient satisfaction, with minimal discomfort or inconvenience.