Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
While few procedures are complication free, the safety profile of vacuum-assisted closure therapy for wounds has been good. Although rarely reported in the literature, the retention of foam in wounds following this therapy has caused complications. The authors present a technique to prevent foam retention and reduce wound morbidity due to tissue regrowth.
Introduction
Vacuum-assisted closure therapy has been considered revolutionary in chronic and acute wound care.[1] While very few procedures are complication free, the safety profile of this wound care therapy has been very good. A search in June 2014 of the US Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database details 8 cases of retained sponge in the product class Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Powered Suction Pump.[2] The retention of foam in wounds is, however, rarely reported in the literature but has been known to cause complications.[3–5] The authors have devised a technique to prevent foam retention in the patient's body from occurring while reducing wound morbidity due to tissue ingrowth.
The inadvertent retention of a sponge in wounds treated with vacuum-assisted closure therapy has been reported to masquerade as osteomyelitis and nonhealing sinuses.[3–5] The authors frequently help manage complex wounds with deep openings, undermined areas, blind areas, tunnels, or bony cavities. The potential for retention of sponge pieces in these types of wounds was recently emphasized to the authors when a piece of sponge "finger" in a wound tunnel was torn off during a dressing change. In this case, the sponge was immediately noticed and removed, but the authors now recommend a new technique to prevent such mishaps and the significant complications that may arise from them.
Wounds. 2014;26(7):E53-E54. © 2014 HMP Communications, LLC
