Wound VAC in NICU?

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Transplant, Trauma, Surgical.

Has anyone seen wound VACs used in the NICU?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

yes, once. It was on a baby with a large IV infiltrate wound

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We use them - I've seena couple on babies after a gastroschisis closure attempt.

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Specializes in NICU.

Yup-Gastroschisis and a baby who developed compartment syndrome post-op. We use them more than I thought we would.

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Specializes in NICU.

I've seen them used post abdominal surgery (like a perf) and the baby gets too swollen to be closed up, or after the wound dehisses.

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We had a baby with a very large abdominal wall defect (presumed ruptured oomphalocele). They did a skin graft over the site and used the wound vac. It worked really well, but she unfortuantely still caught an infection and died...

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Specializes in NICU, CVICU.

We recently had one on a kiddo that had a very bad infection around his umbilical cord. It spread to his entire abdomen and he ended up as sick as could be. Last time I saw him, he was PO feeding and almost closed.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Bad oomphalacele. Last I heard, the infant was doing well but not home yet.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We've use them on abd incisions from dehis or defects, and it worked great!

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Transplant, Trauma, Surgical.

Thanks all for your replies :) I was curious - took care of a kiddo with a really bad burn from an IV infiltration. Went in for debridement and I pondered whether he would get a wound vac as it was such a horrible wound. I will have to see when I work on Thurs. Poor kiddo IV infiltrations make me sick because the really bad ones can be prevented! :(

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