Subatmospheric pressure therapy in the treatment of traumatic soft tissue injuries

To evaluate the use of subatmospheric pressure therapy in the treatment of acute traumatic injuries of the soft tissues, especially in the limbs.

One hundred and seventy-eight patients with traumatic wounds were treated by the Center for Complex Wounds in the period from January 2010 to December 2011, and submitted to subatmospheric pressure therapy (SPT).

Of the 178 patients who underwent SPT, 129 (72.5%) were male and 49 (27.5%) were aged between 18 and 40 years. Degloving injuries to the limbs were the most common type of traumatic wounds, being responsible for the hospitalization of 83 (46.6%) patients. Mean hospital stay was 17.5 days. A total of 509 procedures were performed (average 2.9 per patient). SPT was used in 287 procedures, 209 (72.8%) on traumatic wounds and 78 (27.2%) of skin grafts. The number of exchanges of the SPT apparel per patient was 1.6 and the mean time of use, 8.5 days.

SPT significantly reduced morbidity and healing time of injuries when compared with previously performed dressing treatments. The subatmospheric pressure therapy is a useful method in treating acute traumatic wounds, acting as a bridge between the emergency treatment and the final coverage of the skin lesions, being better when compared with more traditional methods of plastic surgery.