Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a method of decreasing air pressure around a wound to assist the healing. It’s also referred to as negative pressure wound therapy. During a VAC procedure, a healthcare professional applies a foam bandage over an open wound, and a vacuum pump creates negative pressure around the wound.
Full Answer
What is the VAC technique for spinal surgery?
In conclusion, the VAC technique is a useful tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon dealing with patients susceptible to wound infections, especially those with neuromuscular diseases. It allows for retention of the instrumentation and maintenance of the spinal correction.
Is vacuum-assisted closure effective in the treatment of deep spinal infections?
Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a newer technique to promote healing of wounds resistant to treatment by established methods. This article aims to review the efficacy of the VAC system in the treatment of deep spinal infections following spinal instrumentation and fusion in children and adolescents.
What is vacuum assisted closure therapy for pediatric spinal deformities?
According to our experience, vacuum assisted closure therapy is a useful tool in the complex management of deep infections in pediatric spinal deformities as it improves the retention rate of hardware, which allow for maintenance of spinal correction and successful fusion.
What is wound vac treatment?
It’s also known as wound VAC. During the treatment, a device decreases air pressure on the wound. This can help the wound heal more quickly. The gases in the air around us put pressure on the surface of our bodies.
How to use a wound vacuum?
A wound vacuum system may help your wound heal more quickly by: 1 Draining excess fluid from the wound 2 Reducing swelling 3 Reducing bacteria in the wound 4 Keeping your wound moist and warm 5 Helping draw together wound edges 6 Increasing blood flow to your wound 7 Decreasing redness and swelling (inflammation)
How long do you need to use a wound VAC?
You will likely need to use the wound VAC system for several weeks or months. During the therapy, you’ll need to carry the portable pump everywhere you go. Your provider will carefully keep track of your healing.
What is the best way to cover a wound?
A healthcare provider will cover your wound with a foam or gauze wound dressing. An adhesive film will be put over the dressing and wound. This seals the wound. The foam connects to a drainage tube, which leads to a vacuum pump. This pump is portable.
What is wound VAC?
A wound VAC also helps pull the edges of the wound together. And it may stimulate the growth of new tissue that helps the wound close. A wound vacuum system has several parts. A foam or gauze dressing is put directly on the wound. An adhesive film covers and seals the dressing and wound.
How does a wound vacuum device help?
A wound vacuum device removes this pressure over the area of the wound. This can help a wound heal in several ways. It can gently pull fluid from the wound over time. This can reduce swelling, and may help clean the wound and remove bacteria.
What to do if you have a fever after dressing change?
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a pain medicine. This is to prevent or reduce pain during the dressing change. Tell your provider right away if you have a fever or increased swelling or pain in your wound. Also tell him or her if there is blood or blood clots in the tubing or collection chamber of the device.
How to prevent infection during wound healing?
During this time, make sure you have good nutrition and get enough rest. This is required for proper wound healing and to prevent infection. Your provider can tell you more about how to ensure your nutrition during this time.
Vacuum Erection Devices (VED): Basic Principles
VEDs are a useful noninvasive treatment for ED. They involve a cylindrical device that is placed over the penis.
How it Works
This mechanical device consisting of a plastic cylinder is placed externally over the penis. Activation of an attached pump creates a vacuum that encourages blood to flow in to the penis. A rubber ring is then snapped over the base of the penis, keeping the blood in the penis and maintaining the erection.
Long-Term Experience
Long-term follow-up of men who chose the vacuum constriction devices as primary treatment for their erectile dysfunction reveals that this treatment option is inappropriate for men with mild Erectile Dysfunction and ineffective for men with severe Erectile Dysfunction.
What is the medication that a man injects into his penis?
The man injects a prescription medication (alprostadil or papaverine) into the side of the penis (where, Dr. Honig says, there isn’t a significant pain response). The medication helps increase blood flow to the penis. “If you can tolerate a flu shot, you can tolerate this,” he says.
What is the best treatment for erectile dysfunction?
Injection therapy for erectile dysfunction. A urologist may recommend a medication that is delivered directly to the penis through injection therapy. The doses can be increased, as needed, by your doctor. Injection therapy is FDA-approved for erectile dysfunction. The man injects a prescription medication (alprostadil or papaverine) ...
What Is Vacuum-Assisted Closure of A wound?
Why Might I Need Vacuum-Assisted Closure of A wound?
- You might need this therapy for a recent traumatic wound. Or you may need it for a chronic wound. This is a wound that is not healing properly over time. This can happen with wounds linked to diabetes. You may need a wound VAC if you’ve had a recent skin graft. And you may need a wound VAC for a large wound. Large wounds can take a longer time to heal. A wound va…
What Are The Risks of Vacuum-Assisted Closure of A wound?
- Wound VAC has some rare risks, such as: 1. Bleeding (which may be severe) 2. Wound infection 3. An abnormal connection between the intestinal tract and the skin (enteric fistula) Proper training in dressing changes can help reduce the risk of these problems. Also, your healthcare provider will carefully evaluate you to make sure you are a good candidate for the therapy. Certain problems …
How Do I Get Ready For A Vacuum-Assisted Closure of A wound?
- You likely won’t need to do much to get ready for wound VAC. In some cases, you may need to wait a while before having this therapy. For example, your provider may first need to treat an infection in your wound. Dead or damaged tissue may also need to be removed from your wound. You or a caregiver may need training on how to use the wound VAC device. This is done if you w…
What Happens During Vacuum-Assisted Closure of A wound?
- A healthcare provider will cover your wound with a foam or gauze wound dressing. An adhesive film will be put over the dressing and wound. This seals the wound. The foam connects to a drainage tube, which leads to a vacuum pump. This pump is portable. When the pump is turned on, it draws fluid through the foam and out the drainage tubing. The pump may run all the time, o…
What Happens After Vacuum-Assisted Closure of A wound?
- Follow up with your healthcare provider if you have a health condition that led to your wound, such as diabetes. He or she can help you prevent future wounds.
Next Steps
- Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know: 1. The name of the test or procedure 2. The reason you are having the test or procedure 3. What results to expect and what they mean 4. The risks and benefits of the test or procedure 5. What the possible side effects or complications are 6. When and where you are to have the test or procedure 7. Who will do the te…
Vacuum Erection Devices (VED): Basic Principles
- VEDs are a useful noninvasive treatment for ED. They involve a cylindrical device that is placed over the penis. Many types of VEDs are now available, and it is recommended that only those available by prescription should be used.¹ ² A VED, which mechanically creates penile blood engorgement, consists of a vacuum chamber or cylinder, a pump to prod...
How It Works
- This mechanical device consisting of a plastic cylinder is placed externally over the penis. Activation of an attached pump creates a vacuum that encourages blood to flow in to the penis. A rubber ring is then snapped over the base of the penis, keeping the blood in the penis and maintaining the erection.
Long-Term Experience
- Long-term follow-up of men who chose the vacuum constriction devices as primary treatment for their erectile dysfunction reveals that this treatment option is inappropriate for men with mild Erectile Dysfunction and ineffective for men with severe Erectile Dysfunction. It seems that men with moderate Erectile Dysfunction are the best candidates for this treatment option. Our study, …
Advantages & Limitations
- External Vacuum Pump: Advantages
1. Least invasive method of all 2. Requires no medication or surgery 3. Insurance will cover expense - External Vacuum Pump: Limitations
1. High rate of discontinued use (65%) 2. Cumbersome 3. Painful erection 4. Ineffective
References
- 1. Montague DK, et al, for the AUA Guidelines Panel on Erectile Dysfunction. J Urol. 1996;156:2007-2011. 2. Donatucci CF. In: Mulcahy JJ, ed. Male Sexual Function. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press Inc; 2001:253-261. 3. Levine LA, Dimitriou RJ. Urol Clin North Am. 2001;28:335-341.