Objective: Prospective and unicentric review of the use of negative pressure wound therapy in patients with acute and chronic vascular pathology.
Material and methods: Between January 2010 and February 2012, there were 26 patients treated with negative pressure therapy, with a mean age of 60 years (± 14 years), 69% of which male. The most frequently encountered comorbidities were hypertension (66%), followed by diabetes mellitus (50%) and dyslipidemia (38%). 8% had chronic renal failure. The hospitalization was due to ischemic ulcers in 23%, complicated venous ulcer in 13%, diabetic foot in 8% and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in 8%. The main reason for the application of negative pressure therapy was accelerate healing (62%), followed by infection control (46%). Two patients started application for abdominal compartment syndrome. All patients started treatment after hospitalization, with an average of 26 days after admission, having made application for about 13 days (± 8 days), with a medium pressure and number of exchanges, respectively, of 106mmHg (± 12 mmHg) and 3 exchanges (± 1.5).
Results: Therapeutic success was obtained in 23 patients (88%), with 2 submitted to major amputation. There were 3 deaths from causes unrelated to vacuotherapy. The average number of days of hospitalization after-treatment was 15 and 88% of patients underwent secondary procedures, 50% of which were cutaneous plasty. In two cases, the treatment was prolonged to ambulatory.
Conclusion: Beginning about 15 years ago, the application of negative pressure in wound therapy has been having a growing indication, with positive results in the clinical evolution of patients, as exemplified by the results of the service experience.