The clinical outcome of wound healing of open fractures with the use of vacuum assisted closure dressing

Abstract

A wound is defined as an injury creating a disruption in the normal anatomical structure and function of the skin. There are two different types of wounds: vulnus that is an acute wound, which heals according to the normal wound healing process, and ulcus that is defined as hard-to-heal wounds (previously labeled chronic wounds) such as leg ulcers, pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcer. This was a prospective study. Source of study were the 40 Cases satisfying the inclusion criteria. Wounds were initially debrided and vacuum assisted dressing applied. Wounds were assessed depending on wound size and score before and after the application of VAC and the number of VAC settings required for uniform healthy granulation tissue formation was noted. VAC Increases the local blood flow to the wound. It considerably decreases the bacterial load of the wound and thus wound infection. VAC maintains an acidic pH and low oxygen tension on the wound which promotes granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis. Negative pressure wound therapy Induces mechanical stretch on the cell cytoskeleton leading to the release of cytokines associated with wound healing. VAC also reduce wound size, accelerates granulation tissue formation and lower the coverage complexity down the ‘reconstructive ladder’ when applied as a temporary dressing to acute open fractures.