Improvised Suction Apparatus for Closure of Large Soft Tissue Deficit
Journal Title: Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal - Year 2013, Vol 7, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) is an established method that can be used in order to cover for soft tissue defects. This study focuses on the use of a modified suction machine in the form of an aquarium pump as an economical substitute for the VAC dressing. The improvised suction apparatus was a regular aquarium pump, which was altered in order to draw air in instead of expelling it. The patients were followed-up for a period of three weeks in the wards. Methods: VAC was applied over the soft tissue defects. Sterilized foam was used and attached to a French 16 suction tube. A tight seal was ensured using a sterile adhesive covering. The tube was then attached to the modified vacuum machine, which maintained the negative pressure. Case Studies : Three cases are presented in this study. The first and second cases involved pediatric patients who sustained degloving injuries of the foot. The third case involved a 23 year-old male who sustained an open patellar fracture due to a motorcycle accident. The dressing was changed every five days and the progress was documented using photographs. The patients were placed on VAC dressing for a period of two weeks. On the 14th day, good granulation was evident on the soft tissue defects hence; the patients were scheduled and subsequently underwent splitthickness skin grafting. Discussion : The modified suction pump is an effective and economical alternative to the VAC machine for the purpose of providing constant negative pressure to promote tissue granulation and healing for large tissue defects. However, in order to establish the efficacy of the proposed intervention, the modified suction pump should be tested on more cases.
Authors and Affiliations
Kevin M Estillore, Gerto L Quevedo, Lauro R Bonifacio
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP305156
- DOI 10.5704/MOJ.1307.002
- Views 131
- Downloads 0
Curettage and Cementation in Giant Cell Tumour of the Distal Tibia Using Polypropylene Mesh for Containment: A Case Report
Giant cell tumours of bone are best treated by extended curettage and filling in of the defect with cement or bone graft. In more advanced stages, when there is extensive loss of cortical bone cover, containment of the f...
Delayed Onset Sciatic Nerve Palsy Secondary to Wound Hematoma following Anticoagulant Therapy Post-Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty - an Uncommon Complication: A Case Report
A 58-year old female patient presented to us with a three months’ old fracture of the neck of femur. She underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty. In the immediate postoperative period, she developed deep vein thrombosis for w...
Pattern of Presentation and Outcome of Short-term Treatment for Idiopathic Clubfoot / CTEV with Ponseti Method
common congenital foot deformity that is associated with long term disability. Treatment with Ponseti method has been successful especially for children who present early. We conducted this study to investigate the age o...
Tissue Diagnosis for Musculoskeletal Tumours
Musculoskeletal tumour is much less common compared to tumours of epithelial origin. Most of these tumours are benign, with only about 1% malignant in nature. A general orthopaedic surgeon may only come across a malignan...
Graft and Button Modification of Technique of Coracoclavicular Joint Reconstruction in Treatment of Chronic Type V Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Case Report
Treatment of chronic Rockwood’s type V Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation remains controversial. We describe a surgical technique to reduce and maintain AC joint using a combination of gracilis autograft with Graft...