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.