OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF VACUUM ASSISTED CLOSURE FOR TREATMENT OF COMPOUND FRACTURES

Dr Subhashis Banerjee; Dr Anoop Dhamangaonkar; Dr Santosh Banshelkikar; Dr Gautham Suresh

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF VACUUM ASSISTED CLOSURE FOR TREATMENT OF COMPOUND FRACTURES

Dr Subhashis Banerjee, Dr Anoop Dhamangaonkar, Dr Santosh Banshelkikar, Dr Gautham Suresh

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION – The wound management is vital for the treatment of compound fractures and a definitive wound cover is necessary for the control of infection, to maintain the vascularity of bones and hence union of the fracture. Though there are several modalities of wound treatment but the cost, complexity of the procedure and duration of hospital stay are the major drawbacks. The study is performed to evaluate the efficacy of Vacuum Assisted closure(VAC) in the treatment of compound fractures. METHODS– Study done in 30 patients with grade IIIA & IIIB compound fracture of long bones. The wound after initial deidement and stabilized with external fixator VAC dressing was applied on the same day. The dressing was removed weekly and evaluated for wound size and appearance of granulation tissue and reapplied till the appearance of healthy granulation tissue. Weekly serum protein level was done. RESULTS– There was increased rate of granulation tissue formation and decrease in wound size with successive VAC dressings. Early definitive wound cover procedure could be done with decrease in the hospital stay. CONCLUSION�In the study population need for major plastic surgery procedures such as flap surgery and its complications could be reduced. But serum protein level decreased with successive VAC dressings. So the use of protein supplements in patients undergoing VAC therapy is recommended.