Wound VACs or “vacuum assisted closures” are ideal for helping complex wounds heal after surgery or injury. Surgeons use wound VACs to provide negative pressure therapy. This controlled suction draws out excess fluid and promotes tissue growth.

Not every wound needs negative pressure therapy. Simple or minor wounds that will heal with simple treatments don’t need wound VACs. Negative pressure therapy is used for complex surgical wounds. It’s also an option for some chronic open wounds like bed sores, diabetic foot wounds, venous leg ulcers, and post traumatic wounds.

A wound VAC works by placing a special dressing over the wound with a portable suction pump connected to it. This creates negative pressure to remove excess fluid, bacteria and debris, which reduces swelling, promotes blood flow and increases new tissue growth.

“The first published report of the use of suction to treat open (abdominal) wounds was by myself and colleagues in 1986. (Schein et al. British Journal of Surgery, 1986;73:369-70),” said Dr. Moshe Schein, general surgeon and wound healing specialist from Marshfield Clinic Health System.

Considerations of negative pressure wound therapy

VAC devices are often used in outpatient settings for wound care. Removing excess fluids during healing decreases the risk of infection. They also need less frequent dressing, which can be less painful.

The VAC connects to a heavy mobile suction devices that patients need to carry around day and night. They need to be careful, so it doesn’t lose suction or peel off the wound. Patients should immediately contact their doctor if the device isn’t working.  It’s important for patients to know how to remove the VAC dressing. Until they can see their doctor, they should clean the area and put on a clean dressing.

“This is crucial,” Dr. Schein said. “A wound that is not cleaned properly or becomes disconnected from the suction and still covered with VAC dressings is like an undrained abscess full of pus. It can very rapidly cause local infection and systemic sepsis.”

Patients should be aware if the wound becomes dark or foul smelling. If this happens, they need to immediately see their surgeon.

While conventional wound vacuums connect to heavy electrical devices, There are also smaller VAC devices, like the SNAP “mini” VAC, which can fit in a pocket, but these are less suitable for larger wounds.

Vacuum assisted closures aren’t long-term therapy

Wound VACs shouldn’t be a solution used universally. “As with anything in medicine, VAC should be used selectively and with care,” Dr. Schein said.

Your surgeon or wound specialist will watch healing to assess progress and advise when switching to alternative treatment methods are appropriate. “When a wound becomes flat, clean and granulating (“pink”) VAC treatment can be completed,” Dr. Schein said. “From now on the wound will heal by itself with proper wound care. Sometimes it can be closed or covered with a skin graft.”