COMPARISON OF VACUUM ASSISTED CLOSURE VERSUS CONVENTIONAL DRESSINGS IN TREATMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare Vacuum Assisted Closure Versus Conventional Dressings in diabetic foot ulcers, in terms of
mean number of days of wound healing.
Materials and Methods: This was a randomized control trial conducted from 02-10-12 to 02-04-13 in General Surgery
Department, Federal Government Services Hospital Islamabad. A total of 120 patients were allocated into two groups
by consecutive sampling (non propability) technique, enrolled from the Out Patient Department (OPD) and admitted
patients.Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, Group A (Vacuum Assisted
Closure therapy) and Group B (Conventional Dressings). All patients were put on antibiotics after debridement and
blood sugar levels were kept optimal. Duration of wound healing was recorded in all patients.
Results: Patients in group A (Vacuum assisted closure therapy) achieved healing in 11.366 ± 3.488days which was
earlier than in group B (conventional dressing) (16.41 ± 3.104) . Results were statistically significant with a P-value 0.000.
Conclusion: Vacuum assisted closure is better than conventional dressing in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in term
of mean number of days of wound healing.
Key words: diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer, suction dressing, mean no. of days of wound healing.