For those who have just had surgery, or have an acute or chronic type of wound, chances are their doctor has prescribed negative-pressure wound therapy as a means to bring healing to the body. Sometimes simply known as a wound vac or vacuum-assisted closure, this therapeutic technique involves using a vacuum pump to apply a type of dressing (usually made out of foam with a transparent film) to the wound.
Advantages of Using a Wound Vac
When a wound vac is used, the pressure that gets applied helps remove fluid from the wound while increasing blood flow to the wound. With this increase of blood flow, the blood vessels dilate causing the cells to rapidly increase. Besides aiding in edema removal, increased blood flow, and cell proliferation, there are many other benefits to using a wound vac. Some of these advantages include:
- Reduces length of hospital stay
- Provides faster rate of healing for wound
- Patient feels less pain and discomfort
- Requires less number of dressing changes
- Decreases risk of infection
Wound vac care can be used on a variety of types of wounds including: diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, first and second-degree burns, chronic wounds, and wounds that contain a large amount of drainage. Wound vacs can also be used on surgical incisions and acute wounds that have a high risk of infection.
Length of Wound Vac Treatment
For those who are wondering how long a wound vac needs to stay on, most healthcare professionals recommend changing the dressing every 48 to 72 hours or at least three times a week. If the wound is infected, it may require the dressing to be changed more often. The length of time wound vac treatment takes before the wound is healed can vary widely depending on the type and the severity of the wound. Treatment can last anywhere from a couple of days to several months.
Contact Us Today
If you are in need of more information about wound vac treatment, contact us by phone at 972-665-6292 in Plano, 972-318-2383 in Lewisville or 972-607-9643 in Irving for more information or to schedule your appointment.
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