J Korean Diabetes.  2011 Jun;12(2):122-127. 10.4093/jkd.2011.12.2.122.

Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Using Modified Vacuum-Assisted Closure in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers

• Kim BJ
• Suk JH
• Jo AR
• Ha JK
• Jung CW
• Park SO
• Park HT
• Kim MK

• KMID: 2137334
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2011.12.2.122

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are common and serious complications of diabetes mellitus. The prognosis of DFU may be very poor even during early stages depending on the general conditions of patients, and amputation is often required to manage DFU. Various therapeutic approaches to DFU have been introduced, and among these negative-pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC-NPWT) is particularly noteworthy. We performed VAC-NPWT in three patients with complicated DFU. We used a modified VAC-NPWT protocol, which used wall suction and curaVAC(R). Dressing changes were performed every week, which was longer than standard method. All of our cases improved with granulating wound beds and were cleared of bacterial infection by the end of modified VAC therapy. These modifications reduced the costs of VAC-NPWT without introducing associated side effects. We recommend the active application of VAC-NPWT for complicated DFU, although this recommendation should be confirmed by large randomized controlled studies.

Keyword

Diabetic foot ulcer; Negative-pressure wound therapy; Vacuum-assisted closure

MeSH Terms

Amputation
Bacterial Infections
Bandages
Diabetes Complications
Diabetic Foot
Humans
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy
Prognosis
Suction
Ulcer

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Wound status of patient no.2. (A) Pre-debridement. (B) Post-debridement. (C) Post-vacuum-assisted closure therapy, after 5 weeks.

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  Fig. 2. Materials used in the application of vacuum-assisted closure therapy include a polyurethane foam (1), suction head (2) and non-collapsible tube (3).

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