Vacuum assisted therapy

Last revised by Ammar Haouimi on 28 Dec 2020

Vacuum-assisted therapy, also known vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) or negative pressure wound therapy, refers to a device used in the treatment of acute or chronic wounds. 

Components

  • foam dressing applied on the wound
  • suction drains
  • covering transparent adhesive membrane
  • vacuum source: VAC pump producing negative pressure typically 125 mmHg below ambient pressure 1

Function

Negative pressure in vacuum-assisted closure removes edema from the affected area of the skin which increases subsequently blood flow and helps in healing process 1

The closure devices may be identified as an artifact on imaging, such as over the ankle on plain radiographs.

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