title: [Use of vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the conditioning of soft-tissue defects].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute or chronic wounds requiring temporary wound coverage and closure. Soft-tissue defects unsuitable for any type of wound closure. Soft-tissue defects associated with infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Temporary or definite wound closure according to a general concept for treatment of acute or chronic wounds. Support of wound healing through enhanced cell proliferation and formation of granulation tissue. Improvement of local blood circulation and eradication of infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical debridement. Temporary wound closure with vacuum-assisted closure therapy. Second look with change of vacuum-assisted closure systems, irrigation and debridement procedures. Definitive wound closure through - vacuum-aided wound reduction and secondary suture or - mesh grafting or - debridement and flap coverage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Embedded in the general concept of treatment algorithm for acute or chronic wounds, vacuum-assisted wound closure is part of the therapy. Vacuum therapy facilitates direct wound closure or improves wound conditioning to assist further surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Orthopädie, Waldkrankenhaus Rudolf Elle gGmbH, Eisenberg, Germany. XAndreasWagnerX@aol.com
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003646:Debridement; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery; D013848:Thigh / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*