title: Interim analysis of a prospective, randomized trial of vacuum-assisted closure versus the healthpoint system in the management of pressure ulcers.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients with 41 full-thickness decubitus ulcers were randomized to compare the Vacuum-Assisted Closure device (VAC) with the Healthpoint System (HP) of wound gel products in promoting ulcer healing. A total of 22 patients with 35 full-thickness ulcers completed the 6-week trial of treatment, during which time 2 patients (10%) in the VAC group (N =20) and 2 patients (13%) in the HP group (N = 15) healed completely. The mean percent reduction in ulcer volume was 42.1% with HP and 51.8% with VAC (p = 0.46). The mean number of PMNs and lymphocytes per high-power field decreased in the VAC group and increased in the HP group (p = 0.13, p = 0.41 respectively). The mean number of capillaries per high-power field was greater in the VAC group (p = 0.75). There were 15 cases of biopsy-proven osteomyelitis underlying the ulcers; three (37.5%) improved with VAC and none improved with HP (p = 0.25). VAC promotes an increased rate of wound healing and favorable histological changes in soft tissue and bone compared with HP.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02332, USA.
authors.forename: Christian N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Elaine R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Reinhard
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Syrek
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Las Morenas
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hamori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002735:Chlorophyllides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007466:Iodophors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D010206:Papain / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014508:Urea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002735:Chlorophyllides; D005782:Gels; D017613:Iodine Compounds; D007466:Iodophors; D014508:Urea; C038634:cadexomer iodine; D010206:Papain; C007020:chlorophyllin