The feasibility of using V.A.C. Therapy in home care patients with surgical and traumatic wounds in the Netherlands.

The aim of this study was to review the feasibility of using vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) Therapy for the management of surgical and traumatic wounds in the home care settings in the Netherlands. De-identified patient data were collected from a health insurance database in the Netherlands. All patients with complete records, including indication, age, duration of therapy and defined treatment goal between January and November 2006 were included. Data from 338 patients were analysed. On average, wounds had been present for 2 months before start of V.A.C. Therapy. Overall, 74% of patients reached the pre-defined therapy goal (77% for dehisced wounds, 68% for abdominal wounds, 73% for traumatic wounds and 91% for sternal wounds) with approximately 1 month of V.A.C. Therapy. There was a negative association between the wound duration prior to V.A.C. Therapy and the treatment success rate (r = -0.162, P = 0.003). Wounds with shorter duration (<or=4 weeks) prior to initiation of V.A.C. Therapy achieved an 82% success rate compared with 33% for wounds present for >6 months prior to V.A.C. Therapy. V.A.C. Therapy is a feasible and effective treatment for surgical and traumatic wounds in home care patients with over 70% of patients treated in this sample achieving pre-defined treatment goals. The success rate of V.A.C. Therapy is negatively associated with the duration of the wound before V.A.C. Therapy is commenced.