VAC for wounds – pro
Lay Summary: Guidelines for patient selection for VAC have been published.
V.A.C.® Therapy is the controlled application of sub-atmospheric pressure to a wound using a therapy unit to intermittently or continuously convey negative pressure to a specialized wound dressing to help promote wound healing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the V.A.C.® Therapy System as a device that helps promote wound healing, through means including drainage and removal of infectious materials or other fluids, under the influence of continuous and/or intermittent negative pressure. The device is indicated for patients with chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute, and dehisced wounds; partial-thickness bums; ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure); flaps; and grafts. A consensus panel of experienced wound care clinicians convened in July 2004 to review the mechanisms of action and research basis for one such treatment modality: negative pressure wound therapy. After answering key questions about this modality, they developed an algorithm to assist the clinician in making decisions about using negative pressure wound therapy appropriately in patients with Stage III and Stage IV pressure ulcers.
Gupta, SubhasGuidelines for Managing: Pressure Ulcers with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Advances in Skin & Wound Care, Nov/Dec 2004
MenrJez-Eastman S. Guidelines for using negative pressure wound therapy. Adv Skin Wound Care 2001;14:314-23