IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-9-22070 Original Research Paper TREATMENT OF SOFT TISSUE INJURIES IN GUSTILO ANDERSON GRADE IIIB OPEN FRACTURES BY VACUUM ASSISTED CLOSURE THERAPY A CASE SERIES. Nirup N.C Dr. September 2019 8 9 01 02 ABSTRACT

Gustilo Anderson compound grade III B fractures have severe soft tissue contamination along with the exposure of the fracture bones to the surrounding environment. Usually the management protocol for wound or soft tissue contamination include wound debribment followed by regular dressing with antibiotic coverage which would take a prolong duration of time for the control of infection. Our main aim is to find out the importance of Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) in contaminated wound management with bone or tendon exposure and if there is any difference between the conventional methods or in Vacuum Assisted Closure methods regarding early control of infection, healing of soft tissue etc. In this prospective study we have recruited 20 cases of Gustilo Anderson compound grade IIIB fractures who came to Sree Balaji Medical College And Hospital, Chennai from January 2015 to December 2018. VAC therapy was given to see the time taken for a healthy granulation tissue to cover the soft tissue injury and followed by split skin grafting was done. We found out that out of 20 cases, 14 cases had a good outcome of SSG which was 90% to 95% of taken up. 6 cases had SSG failure and local flap coverage was done. We came to a conclusion that Vacuum Assisted Closure helps in early formation of granulation tissue compared to the other methods.