The vacuum assisted closure of complex wounds: report of 3 cases

Authors

  • Marcus Castro Ferreira University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Division of Plastic Surgery
  • Alexandre Wada University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Division of Plastic Surgery
  • Paulo Tuma Jr. University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Division of Plastic Surgery

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812003000400008

Keywords:

Wound, Healing, Vacuum, Surgery

Abstract

Treatment of wounds using conventional methods is frequently limited by inadequate local wound conditions, or by a poor systemic clinical situation. Vacuum system may promote faster granulation tissue formation, remove excessive exudate, increase blood flow in the wound, and attract the borders of the wound to the center, reducing its dimension. We present 3 cases of patients with difficult wounds, due to bad local conditions, or poor clinical situation, in whom we used a vacuum system to prepare the wound for the surgical closure. One patient had a pressure ulcer, another had a diabetic foot ulcer, and the third one had an open foot stump. In the 3 cases a significant improvement of the wound conditions was achieved after 7 to 8 days, allowing successful surgical treatment with flap or skin grafts.

Downloads

Published

2003-01-01

Issue

Section

Case Reports

How to Cite

The vacuum assisted closure of complex wounds: report of 3 cases . (2003). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 58(4), 227-230. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812003000400008