Abstract： Objective To introduce the early experience of using vacuum-assisted closure （VAC） in the treatment of wound dehiscence after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Methods This report retrospective1y analyzed the clinical data of 12 patients who underwent VAC in the treatment of wound dehiscence after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of the Logistics University of CAPF between October 2010 and October 2011. There were 7 male patients and 5 female patients with their mean age of 64.3 years （ranging from 39 to 80 years）. All patients underwent operation via median sternotomy or lateral thoracic incision. All the wound dehiscence was deep to sternum or rib. After debridement of necrotic tissue, the wound surfaces were covered with VAC sponges, and intermittent negative pressure therapy was used. The VAC sponges were changed every 7-10 days. Results All the patients underwent an average of 2 times to change the VAC sponges during VAC treatment. After VAC treatment, the edema around the surgical wounds gradually disappeared, and the granulation tissue was refreshed. The overall conditions of all the patients were improved. The patients could leave their bed, walk in the ward, and look after themselves. Antibiotic treatment was no longer used. The residents checked up the negative pressure system every day to see whether it worked well. The patients were no longer afraid of changing dressing and pain every day. All the patients were healed, discharged from the hospital and followed up at outpatient department for a mean time of 7 months. Their wounds all healed well during follow-up. Conclusion VACsystem is easy to use. It can facilitate the healing of wound dehiscence quickly, decrease the inflammatory reaction of local wound and the body, and shorten the rehabilitation time. It’s also helpful to reduce the residents’ work load. It is recommended in the treatment of wound dehiscence after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.
Objective To evaluate outcomes of vacuum sealing drainage（VSD）for the treatment of wound infection after cardiac surgery.?Methods?We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 70 patients（with valvular heart disease，congenital heart disease or coronary heart disease）who underwent cardiac surgery via mid-sternotomy and had postoperative wound infection from Jan. 2008 to Jan. 2012 in General Military Hospital of Guangzhou Command. According to different treatment strategy for wound infection, all the patients with wound infection （incision longer than 5 cm） were randomly divided into VSD group （n=35） and control group（n=35） by random number table，while VSD treatment was used for patients in VSD group and routine treatment was used for patients in control group. Treatment outcome，duration of wound infection, duration of antibiotic treatment and treatment cost were compared between the two groups.?Results?There was no in-hospital death in both groups. Wound exudate significantly decreased and fresh granulation tissue grew well in the wound in most VSD group patients after VSD treatment. The cure rate of VSD group was significantly higher than that of control group （94.3% vs. 60.0%，P＜0.05）. Duration of wound infection （12.9±3.4 d vs. 14.8±4.1 d；t=-2.094，P=0.040）and duration of antibiotic treatment （7.0±1.5 d vs. 8.3±1.9 d；t=-2.920，P=0.005） of VSD group were significantly shorter than those of control group. There was no statistical difference in treatment cost between the two groups. Fifteen patients in VSD group were followed up （42.9%） for 3 months with good wound healing, and 20 patients in VSD group were lost in follow-up.?Conclusion?VSD is effective for the treatment of wound infection after cardiac surgery with shortened treatment duration and similar treatment cost compared with routine treatment.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technique with split middle thickness skin replantation for the treatment of severe skin closed internal degloving injury (CIDI). Methods Between July 2008 and April 2011, 16 patients with severe skin CIDI were treated. There were 11 males and 5 females, aged 17-56 years (mean, 28 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in all cases. The time between injury and operation was 2-8 hours (mean, 5 hours). Peeling skin parts included the upper limb in 3 cases and the lower limb in 13 cases. The range of skin exfoliation was 5%-12% (mean, 7%) of the body surface area with different degree of skin contamination. After thorough debridement, exfoliative skin was made split middle thickness skin graft for in situ replantation, and then VSD was performed. Results After 7 days of VSD therapy, graft skin survived successfully in 14 cases; partial necrosis of graft skin occurred in 2 cases, and was cured after thorough debridement combined with antibiotics for 7 days. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 12 months). The appearance of the limb was satisfactory without obvious scar formation, and the blood supply and sensation were normal.The joint function was normal. Conclusion For patients with severe skin CIDI, VSD treatment combined with split middle thickness skin replantation can improve the local blood circulation of the limb, promote replantation skin survival, and shorten healing time of wound. The clinical effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with anti-takenskin graft on open amputation wound by comparing with direct anti-taken skin graft. Methods Between March 2005 andJune 2010, 60 cases of amputation wounds for limbs open fractures were selected by using the random single-blind method.The amputation wounds were treated with VSD combined with anti-taken skin graft (test group, n=30) and direct anti-takenskin graft (control group, n=30). No significant difference was found in age, gender, injury cause, amputation level, defect size,preoperative albumin index, or injury time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In test group, the redundant stump skin was usedto prepare reattached staggered-meshed middle-thickness skin flap by using a drum dermatome deal ing after amputation,which was transplanted amputation wounds, and then the skin surface was covered with VSD for continuous negative pressuredrainage for 7-10 days. In control group, wounds were covered by anti-taken thickness skin flap directly after amputation, andconventional dress changing was given. Results To observe the survival condition of the skin graft in test group, the VSDdevice was removed at 8 days after operation. The skin graft survival rate, wound infection rate, reamputation rate, times ofdressing change, and the hospital ization days in test group were significantly better than those in control group [ 90.0% vs.63.3%, 3.3% vs. 20.0%, 0 vs. 13.3%, (2.0 ± 0.5) times vs. (8.0 ± 1.5) times, and (12.0 ± 2.6) days vs. (18.0 ± 3.2) days, respectively](P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up 1-3 years with an average of 2 years. At last follow-up, the scar area and grading, and twopointdiscrimination of wound in test group were better than those in control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05).No obvious swelling occurred at the residual limbs in 2 groups. The limb pain incidence and the residual limb length were betterin test group than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Whereas, no significant difference was found in the shape of the residual limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In comparison with the contralateral limbs, the muscle had disuse atrophy and decreasedstrength in residual limbs of 2 groups. There was significant difference in the muscle strength between normal and affected limbs(P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in affected limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Comparedwith direct anti-taken skin graft on amputation wound, the wound could be closed primarily by using the VSD combined withanti-taken skin graft. At the same time it could achieve better wound drainage, reduce infection rate, promote good adhesion ofwound, improve skin survival rate, and are beneficial to lower the amputation level, so it is an ideal way to deal with amputationwound in the phase I.
Objective To investigate the method and effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with debridement for treatment of deep infection after hip or knee replacement. Methods Between September 2006 and May 2010, 13 cases of deep infection after joint replacement surgery were treated, including 5 males and 8 females with an average ageof 62.5 years (range, 56-78 years). Infection occurred at 7 days to 1 year and 2 months (median, 14 days) after joint replacement surgery. The time from infection to admission was 8 days to 4 years and 6 months (median, 21 days). Purulent secretion with or without blood were observed in all patients; sinus formed in 5 cases; and unhealing of incision or drainage opening disunion were observed in 8 cases. The size of skin defect at secretion drainage or sinus opening site was 5 mm × 3 mm to 36 mm × 6 mm; the depth of drainage tunnel or sinus was 21-60 mm. The histopathological examination in 11 patients showed acute infection or chronic infection with acute onset in 10 cases, and tuberculosis in 1 case. In 6 cases of secretion culture, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 5 cases. After thorough debridement, wound irrigation was performed during the day and VSD during the night in 10 cases. VSD was merely performed in 3 cases. Results In 1 case after revision total hip arthroplasty, the wound bled profusely with VSD, then VSD stopped and associated with compression bandage, VSD proceeded again 3 days later with no heavy bleeding. All the patient were followed up 1 year to 4 years and 5 months (mean, 2 years and 11 months). Infection were controlled 7-75 days (mean, 43 days) after VSD in 10 cases. In these cases, prosthesis were reserved, no recurrent infection was observed, wound were healed, limb function were reserved. VSD was refused in 1 case because of hypersensitive of the pain at the vacuum site, infection control was failed and amputation at the thigh was proceeded. The effect was not evident in 1 case with tuberculosis infection, then the prosthesis was removed and arthrodesis was proceeded followed by complete union. In 1 case, infection was cured with VSD, recurrent infection happened after 9 months, antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer was used at end, and no recurrence was observed 1 year and 4 months later. Conclusion VSD combined with debridement can drainage deep infection sufficiently, promote wound healing, reduce recurrent infection rate, maximize the possibil ity of prosthesis preservation.
Objective To review the research progress of the vacuum phenomenon in spine. Methods The recent articles about the vacuum phenomenon in spine were reviewed; the features of imaging and the cl inical correlation were summarized. Results The vaccum phenomenon has been described in every segment of the spine. This phenomenon occurs mostly to the disc space and represents a transparent area on radiograph. Conclusion The causes of the vacuum phenomenoninclude degeneration of the anatomic structures of spine, trauma, and other pathologic changes. The vacuum phenomenon has important diagnostic and cl inical significances.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in hyperextension position for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with vacuum phenomenon. Methods Between April 2004and August 2009, 35 patients who suffered from OVCF with vacuum phenomenon were treated with PKP in hyperextension position, 8 patients were excluded because of lost follow-up. In 27 follow-up cases, there were 9 males and 18 females with an average age of 75 years (range, 58-90 years) and with an average disease duration of 9.8 months (range, 2-17 months). One vertebral body was involved in 26 cases and 2 vertebral bodies were involved in 1 case. According to the imaging examination and Krauss et al. criterion, all patients were diagnosed as having vertebral vacuum phenomenon. Refer to the lateral X-ray views, the height and the kyphotic angle of the involved vertebral body were measured pre- and postoperatively. The surgical outcomes were evaluated by using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI) system. Results All operations were performed successfully with no severe compl ication. The mean follow-up of 27 patients was 32 months (range, 24-58 months). The mean cl inical heal ing time of OVCF was 4 months (range, 3-6 months). The VAS score, ODI system, anterior and medial height of involved vertebral body, kyphotic angle of involved vertebral body were improved significantly at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P lt; 0.05); there was no significant difference between at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the posterior height of involved vertebral body among different postoperative time-points (P gt; 0.05). Asymptomatic cement leakage occurred in 3 patients. Adjacent vertebral fracture occurred in 1 patient at 7 months. Intravertebral vacuums showed a compact and sol id cement fill ing pattern. Conclusion PKP in hyperextension position can significantly rel ieve back pain, restore vertebral height, and correct local kyphosis in the treatment of OVCF with vacuum phenomenon.
Objective Gunshot wound spreads to the surrounding tissues and organs, it is difficult to debride and easy to infect. The conventional treatment is thorough, extensive debridement, fully open drainage, which often causes normal tissue damage and compl ications. To evaluate the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) treating thepenetrating wound in porcine extremity by MRI and pathological methods so as to provide theoretical basis for future cl inical use. Methods Eight healthy adult pigs, weighing (45 ± 5) kg, were selected. Eight pairs of hind l imb penetrating wounds (16 wounds) were made by using Chinese-made 95-type rifle at 25 meters distance, which were randomly divided into experimental group (left side, n=8) and the control group (right side, n=8). After debriding and disinfecting the penetrating wounds at 6 hours after injury, wounds were treated with VSD in experimental group. The ball istics exports of the wounds were covered with single-layer gauze and imports were directly sutured and covered with sterile gauze in control group. The trajectory and the general condition of the adjacent skin were observed. MRI and histological observation were taken at 5, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury, bacterial counting analysis was done at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury. Results The aperture of the trajectory exit and entry were (5.00 ± 2.50) cm and (0.30 ± 0.15) cm immediately after injury. The wound surface was clean, rosy without leakage and swell ing after 72 hours in experimental group; wound and adjacent tissue were swell ing obviously, pus, muscle necrosis and exfol iative tissue was observed, and deep defect cavity at the trajectory exit could be seen in control group. MRI showed that pairs of l inear low signal in T1WI and T2WI was seen in trajector of experimental group at 5 hours after injury, and signal in T1WI gradually increased at disrupted area and tissue deformation area at 24, 48, and 72 hours; in control group, low signal in T1WI was observed at 5 hours after injury, and signal in T2WI gradually increased and a clear boundari between edema and surrounding tissue, and the increase of signal in T1WI was not obvious at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The histological observation showed that wound was dominated by effusion at 5 hours after injury, granulation tissue gradually increased, muscle tissue dissolved and inflammatory cell infiltration was not obvious at 24, 48, and 72 hours in experimental group; in control group, the gradual dissolution of muscle fibers and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed at 5, 24, and 48 hours, muscle tissue became swell ing, dissolving and degeneration and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration gathered into the bacteria group at 72 hours. There was no significant difference in the number of bacteria per gram of tissue (P gt; 0.05) between experimental group and control group at 0 hour after injury; the numbers of bacteria in control group were significantly higher than those in experimental group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion MRI combined with pathology show diagnostic meaning in treatment of gunshot wound with VSD. MRI can accurately reflect the scope of l imb gunshot wound 72 hours after injury. VSD may be an approach to delay infective time, shorten wound heal ing time, and promote the growth of healthy granulation tissue.
Objective To explore the feasibil ity, indications, and effects of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with flaps for repairing skin and soft tissue defects of lower l imbs. Methods From June 2006 to November 2009, 15 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of lower l imbs were treated with VSD combined with flaps (VSD group, n=5) and only flaps (non-VSD group, n=10). In VSD group, there were 3 males and 2 females with an average age of 46 years (range, 32-69 years), including 3 cases of traffic accident injury, 1 case of skin necrosis after amputation, and 1 case of plate exposureafter operation. The locations were lower leg in 1 case, ankle in 2 cases, dorsum of foot in 1 case, and forefoot in 1 case. The defect size ranged from 6.5 cm × 6.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 17.0 cm. The disease course ranged from 2 hours to 2 months. In non- VSD group, there were 5 males and 5 females with an average age of 50 years (range, 23-58 years), including 6 cases of traffic accident injury, 1 case of crush injury in earthquake, 1 case of osteomyel itis, and 2 cases of plate exposure after operation. The locations were lower leg in 1 case, ankle in 3 cases, forefeet and dorsum of feet in 4 cases, and heel in 2 cases. The defect size ranged from 4 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 12 cm. The disease course ranged from 1 hour to 2 months. There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results In VSD group, the preoperative hospital ization days, postoperative hospital ization days, and total hospital ization days were (11.8 ± 9.5), (35.4 ± 28.3), and (47.2 ± 35.8) days, respectively; the size of flap was (232.8 ± 142.0) cm2; and the infection rate after VSD-use was 0. In non-VSD group, the preoperative hospital ization days, postoperative hospital ization days, and total hospital ization days were (25.8 ± 12.4), (33.9 ± 28.1), and (59.7 ± 32.4) days, respectively; the size of flap was (97.3 ± 93.6) cm2; and the infection rate after 8 to 14 days of regular therapy was 80%. There were significant differences in the preoperative hospital ization days and the size of flap between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). All flaps were al ive except 3 partial necrosis (1 case in VSD group, 2 cases in non-VSD group). The 3 flaps healed by skin grafting and suturing. The donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 5-41 months (22.1 months on average). All flaps were good in color, texture, and wear abil ity. Conclusion It is effective to apply VSD combined with proper flap to repair skin and soft tissue defects of lower l imbs, which can cut down infection rate, improve blood supply, shorten the preoperative hospital ization days, and facil itate heal ing, but whether it can shorten the postoperative hospital ization days and total hospital ization days need further research.
Objective To investigate the causes of the vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) compl ications during treatment of extremity wounds. Methods Between February 2005 and February 2010, 174 patients with skin and soft tissue defect of extremities were treated with VSD. Among them, 12 patients (6.9%) had compl ications and the cl inical data were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 5 females aged from 17 to 65 years (mean, 36.1 years). Injury was caused bytraffic accident in 8 cases, and by machine extrusion in 4 cases. The locations were forearm in 3 cases, upper arm in 2 cases, thigh and calf in 1 case, calf in 4 cases, and foot in 2 cases. The size of defect ranged from 10 cm × 7 cm to 90 cm × 40 cm. The time from injury to hospital ization was 3-8 hours (mean, 4.2 hours). Results At 1 day postoperatively, moderate to severe anemia and hypokalemia occurred in 6 cases, and the hemoglobin value increased to 100 g/L and the electrolyte disorder was rectified after blood transfusion and fluid infusion. At 2 days, 2 patients had local skin allergic symptoms, and local rash disappeared after oral administration of Clarityne. At 3 days, 2 patients complained pain and the pain was released after the suction pressure was decreased by 50%; 2 patients had infection and received VSD demol ition, debridement and draining, and anti-infection treatment. Tissue necrosis occurred in 1 case at 4 days and pressure ulcer in 1 case at 5 days, VSD was immediately changed and wound was repaired by spl it thickness skin graft or local flap. Conclusion Compl ications associated with VSD therapy for the wounds of the extremities are not very common. Most causes are related to the location of wound, the technique of the operators, and the conditions of the patients.