title: Vacuum-assisted closure for the treatment of complex breast wounds.
abstract: Complex breast wounds are a constant problem for surgeons. Wound vacuum-assisted closure therapy (VAC) has been shown to be effective for a variety of complex wounds. Our goal was to evaluate our experience with the (VAC) device in the treatment of open breast wounds. We retrospectively identified 18 patients with complex breast wounds treated with the VAC. We analyzed the data regarding the nature and management of these wounds using the VAC device. Fifteen of 18 patients were treated effectively using the VAC. Two patients required muscle flap coverage. One patient had the VAC dressing discontinued secondary to a denial by an insurance company for VAC in the home setting. VAC therapy is an effective treatment for complex wounds. Specifically, our experience shows it to be effective in the treatment of complex breast wounds. Utilization of VAC therapy should be considered for the management of these challenging wounds.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology Service, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Stoeckel
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Argenta
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Perrier
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing