Outcomes for Pediatric Foot Wounds Treated with V.A.C. Therapy

OBJECTIVE: This three-year retrospective study review aimed to investigate wound healing outcomes for foot wounds in a pediatric population following treatment with V.A.C. Therapy

METHODOLOGY: Patients less than 21 years of age and with at least one foot wound treated with V.A.C. Thearpy between January 1, 2004 and September 30, 2006 were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective analysis. Demographics and clinical outcomes were expressed as percentages for categorical variables and median for continuous variables.

RESULTS: The inclusion criteria yielded 97 patients with 101 foot wounds over the three-year study period. Median patient age was 16 years and 66% were male. The foot wounds were primarily surgical (non-dehisced) and soft tissue or orthopedic trauma. Ninety-percent of the wounds reached a final outcome of healed (defined as complete closure or adequate granulation). The overall median length of treatment with V.A.C. Therapy was 30 days. The shortest median length of treatment and highest healing rates were seen among the traumatic foot wounds (29.5 days and 97.4% respectively). The longest median length of treatment and lowest healing rates were seen among pressure ulcers (40 days and 66.7% respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: In this three-year analysis of 101 pediatric foot wounds treated with V.A.C. Therapy, healing percentages were substantial and consistent over time. The results showed that V.A.C. Therapy was effective in healing 90% of the treated wounds with significant clinical outcomes. V.A.C. Therapy appears to be an effective treatment option for foot wounds in the pediatric population.