Experience with Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy in Head and Neck Surgery at a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction The benefits of using vacuum assisted closure (VAC) therapy are well known in general and orthopedic surgery. Over the last decade, some centers also started popularizing its use in the treatment of difficult wounds in the head and neck area. In this analysis, we review our experience as a tertiary care center, in the use of VAC therapy and the challenges applying it in the head and neck area.

Patients and methods: A retrospective case review of 29 patients, who underwent VAC treatment from the time between January 2012 and July 2020 at the Department of Otolaryngology, Charité, Berlin.

Results 29 patients with wounds and fistulae in the head and neck area were treated with VAC therapy. Negative pressure used, ranged between 70 – 125mmHg. In 2 cases, an additional patch of a sterile glove was used to achieve a tight water-air seal. The average duration of treatment was 12 days. 22 cases were post-cancer treatment. 10 out of 22 patients underwent previous irradiation. 7 non-cancer cases were treated due to either abscesses, necrotizing fasciitis or iatrogenic fistulae. Success was identified as a complete or partial granulation of a wound’s bed. Positive results were seen in 62.07 % .

Conclusion: VAC therapy is an effective definitive treatment or intermediate, preparatory step in the management of complex wounds and fistulae in the head and neck region. The use of auxiliary materials such as a patch of sterile gloves is a rarely described, innovative method to increase efficacy in situations where it is difficult to reach an air-water tight seal.

Poster-PDF A-1280.pdf

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021