Faster wound healing after vascular surgery: negative pressure wound therapy for exposed prosthetic vascular grafts in the groin
van Hattum, E.S.; de Borst, G.Jan.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 162
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 30040300 Document Number: 695710
Vascular surgery in the groin is highly susceptible to wound infection (up to about 30%). Wound infections associated with exposed vascular prosthetic grafts are difficult to treat and may lead to acute bleeding or graft failure, requiring amputation of the lower limb in extreme cases. Negative pressure wound therapy is a method to promote wound healing in case of infected vascular grafts. Since there is suspected risk of bleeding, this technique has been adapted with a double-sponge technique in combination with lower negative pressure.