Vacuum-assisted wound closure: a new approach to spinal wounds with exposed hardware
M J Yuan-Innes1, C L Temple, M S Lacey
1Division of Plastic Surgery at the London Health Sciences Centre and the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Study Design:
The use of vacuum-assisted therapy to close upper thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal wounds was studied retrospectively. Two patients whose wounds failed conservative management were successfully treated by negative pressure therapy.
Objectives:
The authors evaluated the efficacy of applying vacuum therapy on patients with exposed spinal hardware and summarized current knowledge about this treatment.
Summary Of Background Data:
Vacuum therapy was applied three times on two patients.
Methods:
Success was defined as a stable, closed wound that required no future surgery and had no signs of chronic infection.
Results:
Both patients' wounds were closed successfully and have received follow-up treatment for up to 10 months with no sign of recurrence.
Conclusions:
The cases illustrate the usefulness of vacuum-assisted therapy as an adjunct in closing complex back wounds with exposed spinal hardware. In the authors' experience, it helps establish a soft tissue envelope for wound healing and simplifies the need for future surgery.
