VAC therapy also known as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a method of delayed wound closure, where in primary closure is not possible. this PPT details the make & model of the device, its modifications, principle , mechanism , advantages and disadvantages

1. VACUUM ASSISTED CLOSURE
(VAC) THERAPY
UG BATCH- 2017
Date-10/9/21
Dr. Ankita Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery

2. Introduction
• Also known as NPWT
– Negative pressure- assisted wound therapy
• Principle:
– Creation of sub-atmospheric / negative pressure
over a wound surface promotes healing
• Pressure: -70 to -200 mmHg (-125)
• Intermittent/ continuous

3. Mechanisms
• Reduces fluid in the interstitial space
– reduces oedema
• Removal of wound exudate
• Keeps wound moist
• Increases local blood flow
• Increases the cell proliferation
• Increases protein matrix synthesis

4. Mechanisms..
• Stimulates granulation tissue
• Increases capillary caliber
• Stimulates endothelial proliferation
– Angiogenesis
• Microstrains & macrostrains:
– 3 D stresswithin cells & across whole area of
wound respectively
– Increase cellular proliferation & higher
microvessel density

5. Mechanisms..
• Alters wound fluid composition
– Removes deleterious proteinases & inflammatory
cytokines
• e.g., MMP-1,2,9, IL-1β & TNF-α
– Up-regulation of
• VEGF, TGF-β1, TIMP-1
– Significantly increases growth factors, decrease
inflammatory cytokines & normalize MMP activity

6. Advantages
• Significant improvement in wound depth/size
• Accelerated wound healing
• Accelerated wound bed preparation &
granulation tissue formation
• Improved rated of graft take
• Decreased drainage time for acute wounds
• Reduced complications
• Increased patient survival
• Decreased cost (cost effective)

7. Issues
• Shown to increase bacterial counts, despite
increased wound healing
• Availability

8. Indications
• Closure of wounds, wherein primary closure is
not possible
• Diabetic wounds, ischemic ulcers, complex
surgical or trauma wounds with/ without
contamination & burns
– Acute, subacute, chronic wounds

9. Make & Model- conventional
• Composition
– Sterile filler- foam/ gauze dressing
– Sterile adhesive film
– Drainage tubing- perforated end
– Collecting canister
– Suction system (vacuum pump) with display
– Battery/charging system/ electricity

14. Modifications
• NPWT/VAC device with instillation
– Irrigation by sterile fluids
– Removal of thick exudate & infectious products
• Portable VAC device
– Suitable for outpatient treatment

18. How to apply VAC

19. Thank you