Vacuum-assisted closure for radiation-associated wound complications.
OBJECTIVE
Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technology has proven to be effective in the management of soft tissue loss from infections, vascular insufficiency, and traumatic disorders and may have a similar benefit in the musculoskeletal oncology patient. This study reports a single institution's experience with VAC technology in the management of radiation-associated wound complications in patients with soft tissue sarcomas.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients treated with both surgical intervention and radiation therapy developed either superficial or deep wound complications that were managed with the VAC device. This study group was compared to a retrospectively identified comparison group of 19 patients, in which the VAC device was not used.


RESULTS
Hospital stay (P < 0.025), length of overall treatment (P < 0.025), number of operative debridements (P < 0.05) and success of wound closure without the need for soft tissue transposition (P < 0.01) was found to be significantly less in the study groups as compared to those not treated with the VAC device.


CONCLUSIONS
VAC technology appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of radiation-associated wound complications.
Siegel
Herrick J
HJ
Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. herrick.siegel@ortho.uab.edu
Long
James L
JL
Watson
Kevin M
KM
Fiveash
John B
JB
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*