[Regulation of wound process by the method of vacuum therapy in middle-aged and aged patients]

Comparative analysis of the wound process in patients of various age groups allowed the conclusion that in elderly and old-age patients the wounds heal longer because of prolongation of the inflammatory phase, poorer local defence reactions, and sluggish reparative processes. This allows scientific substantiation of the postponed removal of the sutures in elderly and old patients. The method of vacuum therapy applied in patients over 60 produces a positive effect in the form of rapid abatement of the inflammatory reaction in the wound. This creates real preconditions for mobilization of the reparative property of the tissues which is diminishes at old age, active proliferation of the connective tissue elements, which results in the formation of a strong and mature scar in a shorter time. Vacuum therapy brings the terms of wound healing in elderly and old patients close to the terms of wound healing by first intention in the young and middle-aged.