Vacuum-Assisted Closure: A New Method for Wound Control and Treatment:Animal Studies and Basic Foundation
A series of basic animal studies using a new subatmospheric pressure technique (The V.A.C.) to expedite wound healing are presented. The technique entails placing an open-cell foam dressing into the wound, sealing the site with an adhesive drape, and applying subatmospheric pressure (125 mm Hg below ambient) that is transmitted to the wound in a controlled manner. Utilizing a pig model, four studies were undertaken to determine the effect of subatmospheric pressure on laser Doppler-measured blood flow in the wound and adjacent tissue (N = 5), the rate of granulation tissue formation (N = 10), clearance of bacteria from infected wounds (N = 5), and measurement of nutrient flow by random pattern flap survival (N = 5). Blood flow levels increased fourfold when 125 mm Hg subatmospheric pressure was applied. Significantly increased rates of granulation tissue formation (p < 0.05) occurred with both continuous (63.3 % + 26.1%) and intermittent (103% + 35.3%) application. Tissue bacterial counts significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after 4 days application. Random-pattern flap survival significantly increased (p < 0.05) by 21% compared to controls. We determined that the application of controlled subatmospheric pressure creates an environment that promotes wound healing.
Argenta LC, Morykwas MJ. Vacuum-Assisted Closure: a new method for wound control and treatment: clinical experience. Ann Plastic Surgery. Vol 38; (6) 563-576, June 1997.