Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of complex gynecologic wound failures

BACKGROUND: Complex wound failures are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. They are costly and time consuming to treat, and may evolve into chronic, debilitating conditions. Vacuum-assisted closure is a novel wound healing technique applying subatmospheric pressure to wounds to expedite healing. CASES: We report the successful use of vacuum-assisted closure therapy on three patients on a gynecologic oncology service with complex wound failures of various chronicity. In all cases, vacuum-assisted closure therapy was well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy within 48 hours of initiation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that vacuum-assisted closure therapy should be included in the armamentarium of the gynecologist addressing complex wound failures. (C) 2002 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.