Asian J Surg
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Use of vacuum-assisted wound closure to manage limb wounds in patients suffering from acute necrotizing fasciitis.
An effective regimen to treat patients suffering from acute necrotizing fasciitis requires surgical removal of devitalized tissues, systemic administration of broad antimicrobials and ameliorating underlying systemic disease processes. The task of managing wounds consequential to surgical debridement, on the other hand, can be difficult. We had the opportunity of using a vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) technique in 12 patients with non-healing wounds in either the upper or the lower limb because of acute necrotizing fasciitis. The usefulness of the device was assessed by comparing with the conventional approach of wet dressing technique of wound care. ⋯ The VAC technique of wound closure was found to be effective in managing non-healing limb wounds consequential to surgical treatment for patients suffering from acute necrotizing fasciitis. Although the cost of the VAC device was high, morbidity was much lower when compared to the CWD technique.