title: Vacuum-assisted closure of wounds and anxiety.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of anxiety in patients in whom the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) of wounds was used. Psychological evaluations were made on the day before VAC was applied and at the 10(th) day of treatment in 20 patients with traumatic wounds of the lower extremity. Anxiety was measured with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and with the State Anxiety Inventory test. The same measurements were also made in 20 further patients with similar wounds but managed with classic treatment as controls. Both groups showed a significant increase in anxiety during the 10 days. The mean (SD) differences in the anxiety scores measured during the 10-day period were significantly higher in the group treated by VAC than in the control group, State Anxiety Inventory test (14.0 (2.3) compared with 2.6 (1.2), p<0.001) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety test (4.4 (0.6) compared with 1.3 (0.6), p<0.001). Although we think that VAC is an effective tool for treating lower extremity wounds, we have concerns about possible accompanying psychological effects.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Meram Medical Faculty, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey. drmkeskin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keskin
authors.forename: Furkan E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Karabekmez
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Zekeriya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.forename: Nedim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Savaci