Use of Wound Vac for Bed Sores

Bedsores are painful ulcers caused by the pressure and friction on the bodies of those confined to bed for a long period of time. While bedsores can be treated easily, they can also escape the eye of trained medical personnel and can end up being fatal. When treated, bedsores are manageable, although they may be difficult to heal due to the prolonged position assumed by patients who cannot move. One of the most effective treatments is known as the wound vac, which uses suction to pump pus and fluids from bedsores.

What is a Wound Vac?

• A wound vac is a machine that creates a "vacuum" around a wound, an area of low pressure designed to keep a wound clean from fluids that can build up and cause damage. Wound vacs are helpful in several ways. First, they draw together the edges of a wound, which over time reduces the wound size. They also cleanse wound tissue and remove unwanted materials, from undesirable bodily fluids to extraneous dirt and sediment that becomes trapped inside a wound over time. Finally, the pumping stimulates positive tissue growth in a wound, which promotes much more rapid healing than cleaning without the aid of a machine.

How Does it Work?

• Use of a wound vac requires a trained medical care professional to place a surface dressing around a wound. Usually, the material is similar to gauze (often it is made out of polyurethane), and it is secured with medical tape. After placing the dressing on top of the wound, a foam material is packed into the wound itself to prevent the suction from further damaging tissue. The pump then uses negative pressure which, due to the seal, suctions residue and fluids into the material packed around the wound. During the therapy, the correct amount of moisture is maintained to promote healing and positive tissue growth. Fluids are collected in a special chamber on the machine and disposed of.

Efficacy

• Wound vacs have been demonstrated to be extremely effective in individuals recovering from bedsores. Clinical trials published at AHRQ.gov have demonstrated that hospital patients and nursing home residents recover from their wounds more quickly and fully with the use of the wound vac. In addition to the positive effects of the machine itself, the dressings applied to the wound also act as barriers that prevent the penetration of bacteria, reducing infection. The doubly helpful wound vac system is generally considered a superior treatment option.