Role of Vacuum Assisted Closure Therapy Compared to Standard Moist Wound Dressing in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Amputation rates have dropped and diabetes awareness has increased due to several diabetic
foot treatment suggestions. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) may now be properly treated with a range of cutting-edge
medicines, allowing practitioners the greatest local therapy available. One is negative pressure wound therapy.
Aim of work: Assessment of vacuum assisted closure clinical efficacy compared with the standard moist wound
dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Patients and methods: A total of 30 diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers were enrolled, after consenting
each of them and divided into two groups; group A (standard moist wound dressing) (SMWD) (control group)
included fifteen cases who were treated with conventional moist dressing and group B (vacuum assisted Closure)
(NPWT) (experimental group) included fifteen cases who were treated vacuum assisted closure. Progress of healing
was evaluated and documented in the form of change in wound diameter, depth, up or down scaling along
University of Texas wound classification (UTWC), wound status at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and 4 weekly thereafter
till complete epithelialization with diligent recording of time required for complete epithelisation and number of
dressings required in the process for both groups.
Results: Vacuum assisted wound closure is associated with better healing and diminished ulcer depth after 8
weeks of treatment with amount of change 100.00 ± 0.00 vs. 93.79 ± 5.55%. It is also associated with higher
incidence of complete granulation after 6 weeks of treatment 12 (80.0%) vs. 6 (40.0%). There are no differences
were noted between study groups as regard age, sex., special habits and medical co morbidities, laboratory
investigations, ulcer site, ucler grading regarding University of Texas before and after treatment.
Conclusion: VAC is safer and more effective than moist dressing for diabetic foot ulcers. VAC therapy speeds
wound healing, accelerates granulation tissue production, and reduces ulcer area compared to standard dressing.

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