How wound VAC therapy work?
A VAC therapy system includes a vacuum pump, a special bandage, a canister to collect fluid, and tubing.
A healthcare provider first fits a layer of foam dressing over the wound, which is sealed with a thin layer of film. The film has an opening that rubber tubing can fit through to connect to a vacuum pump.
Once connected, the vacuum pump can remove fluids and infections from the wound while helping to pull the edges of the wound together.
A person undergoing VAC therapy wears the device for close to 24 hours per day while they’re healing. The optimal level of negative pressure seems to be about 125 mm Hgfor a duration of 5 minutes on and 2 minutes off.
Wound VAC benefits
Wound VAC has the potential to be a cost-effective treatment option to help treat various types of wounds. Potential benefits include:
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decreased swelling and inflammation
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decreased risk of bacterial infection
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increased blood flow to the wound
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decreased overall discomfort
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less changing of wound dressings compared with other treatments
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gentle pulling together of the wound’s edges
Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure (VAC)
Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a method of decreasing air pressure around a wound to assist the healing. It’s also referred to as negative pressure wound therapy.
During a VAC procedure, a healthcare professional applies a foam bandage over an open wound, and a vacuum pump creates negative pressure around the wound. This means the pressure over the wound is lower than the pressure in the atmosphere. The pressure pulls the edges of the wound together.
VAC therapy can help healing in several ways, such as reducing swelling, stimulating the growth of new tissue, and preventing infections.
Burns
The researchers found a link between third-degree burn wound size and the number of VACs received. They concluded VAC could be a safe and effective option.
C-section
VAC may help prevent infections after giving birth via cesarean delivery (more commonly known as a C-section).
A review of studies trusted Source looked at the effects of VAC in women with obesity who were at high risk for developing wound complications. Overall, the researchers found that VAC seemed to be able to decrease the number of infections and complications.
Traumatic and surgical wounds
The reviews concluded that VAC has the potential to reduce infections after surgery. It also found that VAC may be more cost-effective than traditional treatment options when hospital costs are taken into account.
Pressure ulcers
Pressure ulcers are sore skin spots caused by continuous pressure. the study looked at the use of VAC to heal a patient’s ulcer. Using VAC healed the ulcer in 6 weeks at half the cost of reconstructive surgery.