Well-promising outcomes with vacuum-assisted closure in an infected wound following laparotomy: A case report

• A VAC device with automated solution distribution (with saline solution plus hypertonic saline), continuous pressure of −125 mmHg with equal distribution was applied.
• Within 4 days bacterial culture was negative.
• On the 7th day the wound was half in diameter and depth.
• After 15 days in total, therapy was discontinued achieving closure.

IntroducationNegative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) represents an alternative method to optimize conditions for wound healing. Delayed wound closure is a significant health problem, which is directly associated with pain and suffering from patient's aspect, as well with social and financial burden.Presentation of caseWe report a case of vacuum-assisted wound therapy with hypertonic solution distillation and continuous negative pressure application, in an infected wound after laparotomy for incisional hernia reconstruction with mesh placement. Negative pressure was initiated at the wound margins after failure of conventional treatment with great outcomes, achieving a total closure of the incision within two weeks.DiscussionEach wound has particular characteristics which must be managed. Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) with continuous negative pressure and simultaneous wound instillation and cleanse can provide optimum results, reducing the cavity volume, by newly produced granulated tissue.ConclusionThe simultaneous use of instillation and constant pressure seemed to be superior in comparison with NPWT alone. Compared to conventional methods, the use of VAC ends to better outcomes, in cases of infected wounds following laparotomy.