Wound VAC: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "=Background= * Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also known as a wound vac, is a technique for treating acute and chronic wounds by using a sealed wound dressing attache...") |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
* The vacuum creates a negative pressure gradient that draws out fluid and increases blood flow to the area. | * The vacuum creates a negative pressure gradient that draws out fluid and increases blood flow to the area. | ||
* Often applied to wounds that are expected to heal poorly, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, or very large tissue defects. | * Often applied to wounds that are expected to heal poorly, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, or very large tissue defects. | ||
=Contraindications= | |||
* Malignancy in the wound | |||
* Untreated osteomyelitis | |||
* Non-enteric or unexplored fistulas | |||
* Presence of an eschar | |||
* Direct exposure of blood vessels, anastamoses, internal organs, or nerves. | |||
=Efficacy= | |||
* High quality evidence exists for improved outcomes in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. | |||
* Poor quality or insufficient evidence suggests NPWT may improve treatment of bedsores, large tissue defects, or other wounds. | |||
* There is little evidence to suggest an increased risk of complications, so wound vacs are often applied to many other kinds of wounds. | |||
Revision as of 03:25, 16 October 2017
Background
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also known as a wound vac, is a technique for treating acute and chronic wounds by using a sealed wound dressing attached to a vacuum pump.
- The vacuum creates a negative pressure gradient that draws out fluid and increases blood flow to the area.
- Often applied to wounds that are expected to heal poorly, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, or very large tissue defects.
Contraindications
- Malignancy in the wound
- Untreated osteomyelitis
- Non-enteric or unexplored fistulas
- Presence of an eschar
- Direct exposure of blood vessels, anastamoses, internal organs, or nerves.
Efficacy
- High quality evidence exists for improved outcomes in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
- Poor quality or insufficient evidence suggests NPWT may improve treatment of bedsores, large tissue defects, or other wounds.
- There is little evidence to suggest an increased risk of complications, so wound vacs are often applied to many other kinds of wounds.