Mechanisms governing the effects of vacuum-assisted closure in cardiac surgery.

Abstract

SUMMARY:

: Vacuum-assisted closure has been adopted as the first-line treatment for poststernotomy mediastinitis as a result of the excellent clinical outcome achieved with its use. Scientific evidence regarding the mechanisms by which vacuum-assisted closure promotes wound healing has started to emerge, although knowledge regarding the effects on heart and lung function is still limited. The organs in the mediastinum are hemodynamically crucial, and in patients with poststernotomy mediastinitis, vulnerable bypass grafts and reduced cardiac function must be taken into consideration during vacuum-assisted closure therapy. This article provides an overview of the effects of vacuum-assisted closure on heart and lung function and summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which vacuum-assisted closure therapy promotes wound healing.

• Authors: Malin Malmsjö, Richard Ingemansson, Johan Sjögren
• Journal: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (Plast Reconstr Surg) Vol. 120 Issue 5 Pg. 1266-1275 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 1529-4242 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17898599 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Animals
• Cardiac Surgical Procedures
• Debridement
• Granulation Tissue (physiology)
• Humans
• Inflammation (physiopathology)
• Mediastinitis (etiology, surgery)
• Regional Blood Flow
• Sternum (blood supply, physiopathology, surgery)
• Surgical Wound Infection (physiopathology)
• Vacuum
• Wound Healing (physiology)