Vacuum-Assisted Dressings (V-AD) in the Management of Open Chest Wounds

The NPWT system (V.A.C. Therapy System, KCI USA Inc.) consisted of a medical-grade non-adherent polyvinyl alcohol white foam applied directly to the infected surface, followed by an open-pore reticulated polyurethane black foam cut to fit the wound and covered by a transparent air-tight adhesive drape. A suction cup with tubing was placed over a small slit on the drape and connected to a suction machine (V.A.C. ULTA Therapy Unit).

Retrospective review of subjects medical records with open chest wounds who were treated with the traditional treatment techniques.