Wound Care. What is a V.A.C. Dressing?

V.A.C. is an abbreviation for Vacuum Assisted Closure®, a system for applying negative pressure to wounds, which is claimed to accelerate healing of chronic wounds.

What is the mechanism behind V.A.C.?

A foam sponge is placed into the wound, than the site is sealed with an adhesive drape, and negative pressure is applied to the wound for 22-24 hours daily.

V.A.C. decreases tissue edema and improves local circulation, it also removes the debris from the wound surface.

What is the cost of V.A.C. dressing?

The average cost, including the materials and nursing care, is $ 400 per patient for one week of treatment.

Online Education

The V.A.C. manufacturer in the U.S. is KCI and they have some useful information on their website, including:

- Free online courses for wound care - Flash-based to play in your browser

- Online video on how V.A.C. works and how to apply the dressing

- FAQ for V.A.C.

References:
KCI Therapies
Vacuum-assisted closure: a new method for wound control and treatment: animal studies and basic foundation - Ann Plast Surg. 1997
AHRQ Evidence Report on V.A.C.
Effects of vacuum-assisted closure on wound microcirculation: an experimental study - Asian J Surg. 2005
V.A.C. Therapy - mcgill.ca/tau (PDF file)
Vacuum-assisted closure therapy. The Hospitalist, 5/2007, p. 39-41.
Image source: KCI