Comparison of the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) dressing and gauze dressing in the management of acute traumatic wounds
Abstract
Background: Vacuum assisted closure dressing is a relatively new concept that has
been shown to promote wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effect of
vacuum assisted closure therapy on granulation tissue formation, wound size and the
limb circumference at the site of the wound, in comparison to gauze dressing on acute
traumatic wounds in the lower limbs.
Methodology: Forty-four wounds, on forty two patients, were randomly allocated to
treatment with either vacuum assisted closure or gauze dressing. The end point was
100% granulation tissue. The wound surface area, diameter and limb circumference
were measured every three days.
Results: Wounds managed by vacuum assisted closure achieved 100% granulation
tissue formation faster ( median time 12 days compared with 21days), had a higher
probability of achieving this (hazard ratio 7.6) and had a significant reduction in
wound size (0.79cm2 compared to 0.23cm2
, P value < 0.001) compared to wounds
managed by gauze dressing. There was also a significant reduction of the limb
circumference at the site of the wound (0.47cm compared with 0.09cm, P value
<0.001) for patients whose wounds were managed by vacuum assisted closure
compared to those whose wounds were managed by gauze dressing.
Conclusion: Vacuum assisted closure dressing is more effective than gauze dressing
in the management of acute traumatic wounds in terms of formation of granulation
tissue, reduction in wound size and reduction of limb circumference at the site of the
wound.