Wound vac

gwenith, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2003

I have seen some astounding results from wound vacs but I cannot give you a time from for yoru healing without knowing more - sorry. True assessment of wound really takes a holistic assessment of the patient.

ernest68 · Dec 28, 2003

I have used the VAC System over the last 10 years when KCI first came out with them. The key to optimal therapy is establishing a clean wound base. This means first getting rid of the necrotic tissue, usually thru surgical or enzymatic(i.e. collagenase) debridement methods. Assuming that the dressing remains intact with no notable leaks, changing them is usually done in 2 to 3 day intervals. Frequent changing is not recommended unless there is gross contamination suspected, since granulation tissue may also adhere to the removed dressing and/or wound packing material. I have had wonderful results with the VAC system where I have seen a lot of Stage IV decubiti heal dramatically over a span of a few weeks.. I am confident that it will work for you also. I wish you a speedy recovery.

angelbear · Dec 28, 2003

I just got DC'd from mine. I had a post hysterectomy hematoma that had to be surgically evacuated it left a wound 8.5cmDx5cmLx I think 2.0cmW. I was only on the wound vac 19 days and it is now 1.2cm deep and closing nicely though I am left with an extra belly button. I swear by the wound vac my doc said without it that wound would have taken 3 to 5 mos to heal. Of course I am still off work another 2 weeks and then will be on light duty for 4 to 6 more when I return. Still I cannot express how much I love the wound vac though it was a bit of a nuisance being attached to that thing it is however portable. Best of luck with yours.

woundvacuser · Dec 29, 2003

My dressing was changed again, but there was no notable difference in the depth. I had a typo on the width, that should have been 0.3 cm instead of 0.6 cm. My home health nurse was really surprised that the doctor put me on a wound vac since my wound was that small. Luckily, I haven't had much pain out of it. I go back to the doctor in just 4.5 hours to get an update. Have y'all seen the wound get much smaller in depth than 1.2 cm before the doctor took the patient off?

woundvacuser · Dec 29, 2003

I went to the doctor today and they took the wound vac off. They're going to get home health to pack it as needed until either I feel that I can go back to work/school or until it completely heals up (hopefully before jan. 10). He said that the original depth of the wound was 3 cm. As of yesterday, it was 1.2 cm! That's 60% of the entire wound in exactly one week's time! I know it won't, but I wish the rest of it would heal up that quick.

ernest68 · Dec 30, 2003

I am glad to know you are progressing well. I am confident that things will look great by the 10th of Jan. One more thing...granulation tissue thrives better in moist, not wet(they will macerate easily and slough off if too wet) environment. Trust in the moist to dry dressings...And don't forget your dietary proteins!! ;)

jolin andrew · Sep 12, 2006

I don't know too much about the wound vac. I have a question though; has anyone ever heard of a sponge from a wound vac being accidentally left in a patient's wound? Is this possible without it being seen?

Thanks!

whitedahlia · Sep 12, 2006

Hi there!!! i've been doing wound vac for more than 3 years now but i've never heard a sponge being left in the wound. But i think it's possible, specially if the wound is deep and color is black. (Well same color as the sponge), and if the Nurse is very tired and sleepy, he! he! :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2006

I don't know too much about the wound vac. I have a question though; has anyone ever heard of a sponge from a wound vac being accidentally left in a patient's wound? Is this possible without it being seen?
Thanks!

For those deep wounds we use white sponges just so they don't get lost.

NightingaleCLNC · Sep 21, 2006

I don't know too much about the wound vac. I have a question though; has anyone ever heard of a sponge from a wound vac being accidentally left in a patient's wound? Is this possible without it being seen?
Thanks!

I am working with a case that a wound sponge was retained and incorporated itself into the tissue. Investigating it further

jetscreamer101 · Sep 23, 2006

I have never seen it happen, but have heard of the foam, especially in sinus tracts, being covered by tissue, or just not getting pulled out. I understand in some cases it requires surgical removal.