The use of negative pressure to promote the healing of tissue defects: a clinical trial using the vacuum sealing technique.

A prospective clinical trial from January 1994 to February 1996 evaluated the efficacy of a vacuum sealing technique in dealing with sacral pressure ulcers, acute traumatic soft tissue defects and infected soft tissue defects following rigid stabilization of lower extremity fractures in 45 patients. Polyvinyl foam under negative pressure generates an area of high contact forces at the wound/foam interface. This situation appears to facilitate granulation tissue production while maintaining a relatively clean wound bed. In 84% (38/45) of the patients the use of the vacuum sealing technique following irrigation and debridement decreased the dimensions of the initial wound, thus facilitating healing time and the eradication of any pre-existing infection. Wound closure by granulation, secondary closure, or split thickness skin grafting was achieved in 35 wounds. The vacuum sealing technique is an effective option in the management of infected wounds.