Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure V.A.C. Trauma
Your doctor has prescribed vacuum-assisted wound closure to help your wound heal. It is a treatment used to promote the growth of healthy tissue in the wound bed. V.A.C. may be used alone or with surgery.
Benefits
This treatment is used to:
- Promote healing by getting rid of excess fluids while keeping the wound moist.
- Prevent infection.
- Increase blood flow.
- Draw the edges of deep wounds closer together.
- Support for surgery, grafting and reconstruction.
The system consists of a computerized vacuum pump, which is set to apply vacuum pressure to help close a wound. A special type of foam dressing is applied to the wound and is attached to drainage tube(s). The dressing with the drainage tube(s) is covered with an adhesive drape to create an airtight seal. The wound drainage is collected in a throw away canister that is attached to the unit.
For best success, keep your wound dressing clean and dry. Do not adjust or change the settings on the unit. Do not stop using the unit without a doctor’s order.
Report any of these changes to your doctor or nurse.
- Increased odor from your dressing. Slight odor is normal.
- Bleeding into your drainage canister. Report this right away.
- Increase in pain.
- Increase in redness around the dressing.
- Flu-like symptoms (fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches).
In case of questions or concerns, please call the Surgery Clinic at
(608) 263-7502.
If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942 and ask for the Surgery Clinic.
For emergencies, please call the Burn Unit at (608) 263-1490.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 12/19/2008
Copyright © 12/11/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6075
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