The utility of vacuum-assisted closure therapy for skin necrosis secondary to cervical abscess in the elderly

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) systems have been used as negative-pressure dressings in various fields, including decubitus ulcer, trauma, and wound dehiscence. To the best of our knowledge, few reports have examined the utility of VAC therapy for neck abscess in an oldest-old patient. We present here a rare case of neck abscess secondary to parotid abscess, resulting in extensive skin necrosis. Successful management included emergency drainage following epithelial induction through a VAC system without using skin grafting. Two months after surgical intervention, the cervical wound was completely healed without a solid scar. We consider the VAC therapy to be a key factor leading to the complete healing in the elderly under low serum albumin condition.