THE USE OF NEGATIVE-PRESSURE TO PROMOTE THE HEALING OF TISSUE DEFECTS- A CLINICAL-TRIAL USING THE VACUUM SEALING TECHNIQUE

A prospective clinical trial from January 1994 to February 1996 evalua ted the efficacy of a vacuum sealing technique in dealing with sacral pressure ulcers, acute traumatic soft tissue defects and infected soft tissue defects following rigid stabilization of lower extremity fract ures in 45 patients. Polyvinyl foam under negative pressure generates an area of high contact forces at the wound/foam interface. This situa tion appears to facilitate granulation tissue production while maintai ning a relatively clean wound bed. In 84% (38/45) of the patients the use of the vacuum sealing technique following irrigation and debrideme nt decreased the dimensions of the initial wound, thus facilitating he aling time and the eradication of any pre-existing infection. Wound cl osure by granulation, secondary closure, or split thickness skin graft ing was achieved in 35 wounds. The vacuum sealing technique is an effe ctive option in the management of infected wounds.