title: [Vacuum-assisted closure therapy and wound coverage in soft tissue injury. Clinical use].
abstract: This study presents the results of a meta-analysis based on the literature dealing with the clinical applications of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in the areas of chronic wounds, acute posttraumatic wounds, compartment syndromes, or injuries of the upper extremities. The studies were analysed for validity, significance of conclusion with respect to success rate, publications, and economic efficacy. The data show that with VAC a very valuable technique has been added to an integrated therapeutic concept of soft tissue reconstruction. However, clinical data from prospective randomised trials to support some of the positive aspects seen in the daily clinical application of the technique are still missing. These would create a sound basis demonstrating the economic efficacy of the technique.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Wiederherstellungs- und Handchirurgie, St. Markus-Krankenhaus, Frankfurt/M., Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holle
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauerbier
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von Gregory
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pelzer
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing