| Abstract | BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technology has proven to be effective in the management of soft tissue loss from infections, vascular insufficiency, and traumatic disorders and may have a similar benefit in the musculoskeletal oncology patient. This study reports a single institution's experience with VAC technology in the management of radiation-associated wound complications in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. MATERIALS: Twenty-two patients treated with both surgical intervention and radiation therapy developed either superficial or deep wound complications that were managed with the VAC device. This study group was compared to a retrospectively identified comparison group of 19 patients, in which the VAC device was not used. RESULTS: Hospital stay (P < 0.025), length of overall treatment (P < 0.025), number of operative debridements (P < 0.05) and success of wound closure without the need for soft tissue transposition (P < 0.01) was found to be significantly less in the study groups as compared to those not treated with the VAC device. CONCLUSION: VAC technology appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of radiation-associated wound complications. |
| Authors | Herrick J Siegel, James L Long, Kevin M Watson, John B Fiveash
(Affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. herrick.siegel at ortho.uab.edu)
|
| Journal | Journal of surgical oncology
(J Surg Oncol)
Vol. 96
Issue 7
Pg. 575-82
(Dec 1 2007)
ISSN: 0022-4790 United States |
| PMID | 17999398
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Topics |
- Cohort Studies
- Equipment and Supplies
- Humans
- Occlusive Dressings
- Radiotherapy
(adverse effects)
- Retrospective Studies
- Sarcoma
(radiotherapy, surgery)
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms
(radiotherapy, surgery)
- Vacuum
- Wound Healing
- Wounds and Injuries
(therapy)
|
