title: [Impact of vacuum-assisted closure management in deep neck abscesses].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of deep neck abscesses is potentially serious; they can lead to death in a short period of time. The vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) therapy has been used in many areas of surgery for complex wound healing. This treatment modality has recently been considered in the field of head and neck surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the efficacy of healing therapy using V.A.C. therapy in deep neck abscesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label trial. Patients with deep neck abscesses were included using V.A.C. therapy versus conventional therapy. Cultures were taken before and during surgery, and prior to primary wound closure. The percentages of healing, viable tissue, wound healing time, and hospital stay were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 patients were included. Affected neck spaces: submaxilar 29%, parapharyngeal 22%, submental 21% and masticatory 13%. The final postsurgical culture was negative in 78%. Viable tissue of the wound for the V.A.C. group was 42%, and for the control group was 36% (p=0.025). Healing time was 22±6 days and 38±15.5, respectively (p = 0.01). The mean number of hospital stay was 12 days for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therapy with V.A.C. is useful in the treatment of deep neck abscesses; it decreased healing time as a result of more viable tissue allowing suture closure of the wound in a shorter period.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors.forename: Luis Humberto
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Govea-Camacho
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Astudillo-Carrera
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hermosillo-Sandoval
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Quirúrgica Experimental, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Reynoso
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiologia Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Ojeda
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiologia Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Electronic address: clotildefuen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Clotilde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fuentes-Orozco
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D013536:Suture Techniques; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local
keywords: Abscesos de cuello; Cicatrización asistida por vacío; Deep neck abscesses; Sutura de herida; Vacuum assisted closure therapy; Wound suture