Published in:
01-02-2017 | Innovative Surgical Techniques Around the World
Handcrafted Vacuum-Assisted Device for Skin Ulcers Treatment Versus Traditional Therapy, Randomized Controlled Trial
Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 2/2017
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Background
Chronic lower limb ulcers constitute a public health problem, with important socioeconomic implications and high attention cost. This trial evaluates handcrafted vacuum-assisted therapy versus traditional treatment effectiveness for lower limbs ulcers.
Materials and methods
It was a prospective randomized clinical trial conducted over 144 patients with lower limbs ulcers. Patients were randomized into two groups of 72 patients: Experimental group were treated with debridement, cure and a handcrafted vacuum-assisted device that was changed every 72 h. Control group was treated with debridement and cure with soap every 24 h. Ulcers were evaluated every 72 h and on 10th day. The presence of systemic inflammatory response, pain, granulation tissue and viability for discharge was registered and analyzed .
Results
After exclusion of 18 patients, 126 were included, 65.1% were men with an average of 58 years. Sole region ulcer by diabetic foot was the more frequent in both groups (73%). Leukocytes count, systemic inflammatory response and pain were significantly lower in experimental group (p < 0.05). Discharge criteria and granulation tissue were present earlier in experimental group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Handcrafted vacuum-assisted system is a feasible and safe method to treat chronic ulcers. This system would benefit patients favoring earlier infection control, faster granulation tissue appearance and earlier discharge.
Clinical trials registered in https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ Number NCT02512159.