title: Vacuum-assisted closure for complicated neonatal abdominal wounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neonatal experience in vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for complex abdominal wounds remains scant.
  
  
  METHODS
  A neonatal VAC protocol was instituted in 2004. The medical records of patients treated with this protocol for the ensuing 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Continuous data are reported as mean +/- SD (range).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten VAC applications occurred in 8 neonates for a 3-year period. Gestational age and age at VAC application were 30 +/- 6.9 (24-40) weeks and 84.5 +/- 51 (21-165) days, respectively. Birth weight and weight at VAC application were 1495 +/- 1118 (615-3415) g and 3515 +/- 2118 (989-7965) g, respectively. All wound complications occurred after laparotomies (7 elective, 3 emergent). Three wounds included intestinal stomas, and 3 included enterocutaneous fistulae. Average wound area at VAC initiation was 13.6 +/- 6.0 (8.5-25) cm(2). Duration of VAC use was 19.1 +/- 15.3 (7-60) days. Vacuum-assisted closure resulted in complete wound closure in all cases and did not result in any local or systemic complications. Five patients (63%) survived to discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vacuum-assisted closure for complicated abdominal wounds is safe and successful in neonates of any gestational age and birth weight. It provides effective wound management, even in the presence of stomas or enterocutaneous fistulae.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clifton-Koeppel
authors.forename: Sherif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emil
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D001835:Body Weight; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000601:surgery; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000628:therapy*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy; D014945:Wound Healing