[Non-invasive assessment of the perfusion of wounds using power Doppler imaging: vacuum assisted closure versus direct wound closure].
OBJECTIVE
The goal of our study was to assess the perfusion in wounds treated by vacuum assisted closure (VAC) compared to primary wound closure.


METHODS
Power Doppler Ultrasound (PDUS) was carried out under standardised conditions in 15 VAC-treated and 10 primarily closed wounds as well as on altogether 25 intraindividual reference areas. All data were sent to a work station for post-processing to determine the perfused area. Statistical data analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney test.


RESULTS
Both VAC-treated wounds and primarily closed wounds showed a significant increase of the perfusion when compared to the intraindividual reference area (p < 0.0001). In VAC-treated wounds, a markedly increased perfusion was measured compared to the wounds closed primarily (p < 0.0001). Perfusion decreased during treatment, but in two VAC-treated wounds, an initial increase of the perfusion was observed. Both these wounds were grossly infected.


CONCLUSIONS
PDUS allows the quantification of the differences in wound perfusion. This can be helpful in the detection of progressive local wound infections.
Jungius
K P
KP
Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie, Zürich, Switzerland. karl-peter.jungius@rsv-gnw.ch
Chilla
B K
BK
Labler
L
L
Teodorovic
N
N
Marincek
B
B
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex / Q000379:methods*; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*