Objective To review the research progress of the vacuum phenomenon in spine. Methods The recent articles about the vacuum phenomenon in spine were reviewed; the features of imaging and the cl inical correlation were summarized. Results The vaccum phenomenon has been described in every segment of the spine. This phenomenon occurs mostly to the disc space and represents a transparent area on radiograph. Conclusion The causes of the vacuum phenomenoninclude degeneration of the anatomic structures of spine, trauma, and other pathologic changes. The vacuum phenomenon has important diagnostic and cl inical significances.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of motorcycle spoke heel injury and the effectiveness of sequential therapy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) and pedicled flap transplantation for treating motorcycle spoke heel injury in children. MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2014, 15 children (aged from 3 to 8 years, 5.7 years on average) with motorcycle spoke heel injury received sequential therapy of VSD and pedicled flap transplantation. The interval from injury to admission was 3-7 days, with an average of 4.9 days. The locations were the heel in 8 cases, the heel and lateral malleolus in 2 cases, and the medial malleolus and medial heel in 4 cases, and the medial and lateral malleolus and heel in 1 case. The patients had different degrees of defects of the skin, tendon, and bone. The skin defect size ranged from 3 cm×3 cm to 13 cm×6 cm. VSD was applied for twice in 13 cases and three times in 2 cases. Reversed flow sural flap was applied in 8 cases, lateral supramalleolar flap in 2 cases, medial supramalleolar perforator-based flaps in 4 cases, and posterior tibial artery flap in 1 case. Eight pedicled flaps with neuroanastomosis were selected according to the wound characteristics. The flap size ranged from 4 cm×4 cm to 14 cm×7 cm. ResultsOf 15 cases, 13 flaps survived well except that two had partial skin necrosis at the distal site. Primary healing was obtained, and skin graft at donor site survived. The patients were followed up 9-21 months (mean, 13 months). Mild and moderate bulky flaps were observed in 9 cases and 6 cases respectively. Of 15 cases, 13 could walk with weight loading, and 2 had slight limping. Superficial sensation recovered to S3 in 8 patients undergoing neuroanastomosis, and recovered to S2 in 7 patients not undergoing neuroanastomosis at 6 months after operation. According to AOFAS evaluation system for Ankle-Hindfoot, the results were excellent in 13 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% at 8 months after operation. ConclusionThe main characteristic of motorcycle spoke heel injury lies in a combination of high energy damage and thermal damage. Sequential therapy of VSD and pedicled flap transplantation can be regarded as a reliable option to obtain good outcome of wound healing and satisfactory functional recovery for the management of motorcycle spoke heel injury.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) on late-stage large skin avulsion injury with infection. Methods From May 2007 to August 2008, 9 patients with large-area skin avulsion injury and infection were treated. There were 1 male and 8 females aged 9-52 years old (median 27 years old). All patients suffered from closed skin avulsion injury involving the lower back, buttock, and part of the thigh. The injury area varied from 30 cm × 25 cm to92 cm × 38 cm. The time between injury and hospital admission was 15-23 days. The skin avulsion injury was compl icated with pelvis fracture, urethral injury, anal injury, sacrum exposure, and l imb fractures. The interval between hospital admission and operation was 3-23 hours. Free spl it-thickness skin graft was performed after the focus debridement and three VSD treatments (40-60 kPa). Results After three VSD treatments, no patient had general pyemia and severe local tissue necrosis or infection, the tissue edema in the skin avulsion area was alleviated obviously, and all the wound cavities were closed. All the wounds in the graft site healed after 28-45 days of treatment (average 39 days), and all the donor sites healed. Nine patients were followed up for 4-14 months (average 10 months). The appearance of the reparative area was good, and there was no occurrence of joint dysfunction in the injured area due to scar contracture. Conclusion VSD is effective in treating late-stage large skin avulsion injury with infection.
Objective Gunshot wound spreads to the surrounding tissues and organs, it is difficult to debride and easy to infect. The conventional treatment is thorough, extensive debridement, fully open drainage, which often causes normal tissue damage and compl ications. To evaluate the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) treating thepenetrating wound in porcine extremity by MRI and pathological methods so as to provide theoretical basis for future cl inical use. Methods Eight healthy adult pigs, weighing (45 ± 5) kg, were selected. Eight pairs of hind l imb penetrating wounds (16 wounds) were made by using Chinese-made 95-type rifle at 25 meters distance, which were randomly divided into experimental group (left side, n=8) and the control group (right side, n=8). After debriding and disinfecting the penetrating wounds at 6 hours after injury, wounds were treated with VSD in experimental group. The ball istics exports of the wounds were covered with single-layer gauze and imports were directly sutured and covered with sterile gauze in control group. The trajectory and the general condition of the adjacent skin were observed. MRI and histological observation were taken at 5, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury, bacterial counting analysis was done at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury. Results The aperture of the trajectory exit and entry were (5.00 ± 2.50) cm and (0.30 ± 0.15) cm immediately after injury. The wound surface was clean, rosy without leakage and swell ing after 72 hours in experimental group; wound and adjacent tissue were swell ing obviously, pus, muscle necrosis and exfol iative tissue was observed, and deep defect cavity at the trajectory exit could be seen in control group. MRI showed that pairs of l inear low signal in T1WI and T2WI was seen in trajector of experimental group at 5 hours after injury, and signal in T1WI gradually increased at disrupted area and tissue deformation area at 24, 48, and 72 hours; in control group, low signal in T1WI was observed at 5 hours after injury, and signal in T2WI gradually increased and a clear boundari between edema and surrounding tissue, and the increase of signal in T1WI was not obvious at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The histological observation showed that wound was dominated by effusion at 5 hours after injury, granulation tissue gradually increased, muscle tissue dissolved and inflammatory cell infiltration was not obvious at 24, 48, and 72 hours in experimental group; in control group, the gradual dissolution of muscle fibers and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed at 5, 24, and 48 hours, muscle tissue became swell ing, dissolving and degeneration and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration gathered into the bacteria group at 72 hours. There was no significant difference in the number of bacteria per gram of tissue (P gt; 0.05) between experimental group and control group at 0 hour after injury; the numbers of bacteria in control group were significantly higher than those in experimental group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion MRI combined with pathology show diagnostic meaning in treatment of gunshot wound with VSD. MRI can accurately reflect the scope of l imb gunshot wound 72 hours after injury. VSD may be an approach to delay infective time, shorten wound heal ing time, and promote the growth of healthy granulation tissue.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with anti-takenskin graft on open amputation wound by comparing with direct anti-taken skin graft. Methods Between March 2005 andJune 2010, 60 cases of amputation wounds for limbs open fractures were selected by using the random single-blind method.The amputation wounds were treated with VSD combined with anti-taken skin graft (test group, n=30) and direct anti-takenskin graft (control group, n=30). No significant difference was found in age, gender, injury cause, amputation level, defect size,preoperative albumin index, or injury time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In test group, the redundant stump skin was usedto prepare reattached staggered-meshed middle-thickness skin flap by using a drum dermatome deal ing after amputation,which was transplanted amputation wounds, and then the skin surface was covered with VSD for continuous negative pressuredrainage for 7-10 days. In control group, wounds were covered by anti-taken thickness skin flap directly after amputation, andconventional dress changing was given. Results To observe the survival condition of the skin graft in test group, the VSDdevice was removed at 8 days after operation. The skin graft survival rate, wound infection rate, reamputation rate, times ofdressing change, and the hospital ization days in test group were significantly better than those in control group [ 90.0% vs.63.3%, 3.3% vs. 20.0%, 0 vs. 13.3%, (2.0 ± 0.5) times vs. (8.0 ± 1.5) times, and (12.0 ± 2.6) days vs. (18.0 ± 3.2) days, respectively](P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up 1-3 years with an average of 2 years. At last follow-up, the scar area and grading, and twopointdiscrimination of wound in test group were better than those in control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05).No obvious swelling occurred at the residual limbs in 2 groups. The limb pain incidence and the residual limb length were betterin test group than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Whereas, no significant difference was found in the shape of the residual limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In comparison with the contralateral limbs, the muscle had disuse atrophy and decreasedstrength in residual limbs of 2 groups. There was significant difference in the muscle strength between normal and affected limbs(P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in affected limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Comparedwith direct anti-taken skin graft on amputation wound, the wound could be closed primarily by using the VSD combined withanti-taken skin graft. At the same time it could achieve better wound drainage, reduce infection rate, promote good adhesion ofwound, improve skin survival rate, and are beneficial to lower the amputation level, so it is an ideal way to deal with amputationwound in the phase I.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vacuum sealing(VS) technique and emergency internal fixation on the management of limbs open fracture and soft tissue dirty defects. METHODS: Fourteen patients (18 limbs) with open fracture and soft tissue dirty defects were treated by the VS technique and internal fixation after debridement and 14 patients managed by traditional method as control group. Wound surface were covered with polyvinyl alcohol foams with embedded drainage tubes connected with vacuum bottle (negative pressure of 50 to 60 kPa) after wound surface were debrided and fracture were fixed. Wound closure was performed with secondary suturing, or free flap, or loco-regional flap and mesh-grafts after 5 to 7 days. RESULTS: All wound surface healed completely. No complications (systemic and local) were found. After 4-6 months follow-up on average, the fracture healed well. There was significant difference in time of treatment, total cost of treatment and complication rate between 2 groups (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: The VS procedure can drain the wound surface completely, decrease infection rate and stimulate the proliferation of granulation tissue. A combination of VS with emergency internal fixation is a simple and effective method in treatment of limbs open fracture and soft tissue dirty defects.
Objective To evaluate outcomes of vacuum sealing drainage（VSD）for the treatment of wound infection after cardiac surgery.?Methods?We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 70 patients（with valvular heart disease，congenital heart disease or coronary heart disease）who underwent cardiac surgery via mid-sternotomy and had postoperative wound infection from Jan. 2008 to Jan. 2012 in General Military Hospital of Guangzhou Command. According to different treatment strategy for wound infection, all the patients with wound infection （incision longer than 5 cm） were randomly divided into VSD group （n=35） and control group（n=35） by random number table，while VSD treatment was used for patients in VSD group and routine treatment was used for patients in control group. Treatment outcome，duration of wound infection, duration of antibiotic treatment and treatment cost were compared between the two groups.?Results?There was no in-hospital death in both groups. Wound exudate significantly decreased and fresh granulation tissue grew well in the wound in most VSD group patients after VSD treatment. The cure rate of VSD group was significantly higher than that of control group （94.3% vs. 60.0%，P＜0.05）. Duration of wound infection （12.9±3.4 d vs. 14.8±4.1 d；t=-2.094，P=0.040）and duration of antibiotic treatment （7.0±1.5 d vs. 8.3±1.9 d；t=-2.920，P=0.005） of VSD group were significantly shorter than those of control group. There was no statistical difference in treatment cost between the two groups. Fifteen patients in VSD group were followed up （42.9%） for 3 months with good wound healing, and 20 patients in VSD group were lost in follow-up.?Conclusion?VSD is effective for the treatment of wound infection after cardiac surgery with shortened treatment duration and similar treatment cost compared with routine treatment.
Objective To investigate the method and effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with debridement for treatment of deep infection after hip or knee replacement. Methods Between September 2006 and May 2010, 13 cases of deep infection after joint replacement surgery were treated, including 5 males and 8 females with an average ageof 62.5 years (range, 56-78 years). Infection occurred at 7 days to 1 year and 2 months (median, 14 days) after joint replacement surgery. The time from infection to admission was 8 days to 4 years and 6 months (median, 21 days). Purulent secretion with or without blood were observed in all patients; sinus formed in 5 cases; and unhealing of incision or drainage opening disunion were observed in 8 cases. The size of skin defect at secretion drainage or sinus opening site was 5 mm × 3 mm to 36 mm × 6 mm; the depth of drainage tunnel or sinus was 21-60 mm. The histopathological examination in 11 patients showed acute infection or chronic infection with acute onset in 10 cases, and tuberculosis in 1 case. In 6 cases of secretion culture, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 5 cases. After thorough debridement, wound irrigation was performed during the day and VSD during the night in 10 cases. VSD was merely performed in 3 cases. Results In 1 case after revision total hip arthroplasty, the wound bled profusely with VSD, then VSD stopped and associated with compression bandage, VSD proceeded again 3 days later with no heavy bleeding. All the patient were followed up 1 year to 4 years and 5 months (mean, 2 years and 11 months). Infection were controlled 7-75 days (mean, 43 days) after VSD in 10 cases. In these cases, prosthesis were reserved, no recurrent infection was observed, wound were healed, limb function were reserved. VSD was refused in 1 case because of hypersensitive of the pain at the vacuum site, infection control was failed and amputation at the thigh was proceeded. The effect was not evident in 1 case with tuberculosis infection, then the prosthesis was removed and arthrodesis was proceeded followed by complete union. In 1 case, infection was cured with VSD, recurrent infection happened after 9 months, antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer was used at end, and no recurrence was observed 1 year and 4 months later. Conclusion VSD combined with debridement can drainage deep infection sufficiently, promote wound healing, reduce recurrent infection rate, maximize the possibil ity of prosthesis preservation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the curative effect of vacuum sealing drainage for early deep infection after posterior spinal internal fixation. MethodsFrom March 2009 to March 2012, 9 patients with early deep infection after posterior spinal internal fixation, including 5 males and 4 females aged between 21 and 64 years, averaging at 44.6, underwent debridement and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD). Original fixtures in all the patients were not taken out. ResultsThe patients were treated by VSD for once to three times with an average of 2.1 times, and VSD continued for 3 to 7 days every time. Two patients underwent one time of VSD, 4 underwent twice, and 3 underwent three times. In these patients, 6 achieved wound healing after VSD, one changed to ordinary dressing and wound suturing two weeks later due to hemorrhage of VSD, one changed to ordinary dressing and wound suturing wound three weeks later due to impeded drainage, one accepted skin-grafting after three times of VSD. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 38 months (18 months on average) and all of them were cured. There was no obvious back pain or signs of incision infection. The X-ray films showed that there were no bone destruction and the white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein significantly decreased to normal after surgery. ConclusionOne-stage debridement and vacuum sealing drainage therapy is an effective method for treating early deep infection after posterior spinal internal fixation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of intermittent irrigation of insulin solution combined with continuous drainage of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in chronic diabetic lower limb ulcers. MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2014, 45 patients with diabetic lower limb ulcer were treated with VSD (group A, n=15), with VSD combining irrigation of normal saline (group B, n=15), and with VSD combining irrigation of insulin solution (group C, n=15) after debridement. There was no significant difference in gender, age, course of ulcers, area and depth of wound, glycosylated hemoglobin, and Wagner grade among 3 groups (P>0.05), and the data were comparable. The levels of fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and random blood glucose were determined everyday during treatment. The contents of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), tumor growth factor α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) in necrotic tissue after drainage were determined. The coverage rate and thickness of granulation tissue and clearance rate of bacteria in wound were calculated, the granulation tissue in the center of the wound was harvested for pathological observation with HE staining after 6 days of treatment. The second stage operation was performed according to the condition of wounds, and the time to the second stage operation and the method of the second stage operation were recorded and the survival rate of grafted skin or flap was calculated. ResultsThe pathological staining showed that there were a few new microvessels and fibroblasts in group A after treatment;more new microvessels and fibroblasts were observed in group B;and many new microvessels and fibroblasts were found in group C. There was no significant difference in levels of fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and random blood glucose among 3 groups during treatment (P>0.05). The coverage rate and thickness of granulation tissue and clearance rate of bacteria in group C were significantly higher than those in groups A and B after treatment (P<0.05). The contents of IGF-1 and NO were significantly increased and TNF-α was significantly decreased in group C when compared with those in group A (P<0.05). Compared with group B, IGF-1 and NO contents were significantly increased at 3-6 days and at 2-6 days respectively, and TNF-α content was significantly decreased at 3-6 days in group C (P<0.05). The method of the second stage operation showed no significant difference among 3 groups (χ2=2.920, P=0.230), but the time to the second stage operation in group C was significantly shorter than that in groups A and B (P<0.05), and the survival rate of grafted skin or flap in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P<0.05). ConclusionThe treatment of diabetic lower limb ulcers with intermittent irrigation of insulin solution combined with continuous drainage of VSD can reduce inflammatory reaction effectively, promote development of granulation tissue, improve recovery function of tissue, increase the rate and speed of wound healing obviously, but it has no effect on blood glucose levels.