EXPERIENCE OF USING NPWT-THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF COMBAT INJURIES OF SOFT TISSUES OF THE LIMBS AND BODY

Abstract

Summary. Aim. NPWT-therapy (Negative-pressure wound therapy) or VAC-therapy (Vacuum Assisted Clousur) - a modern method of wound healing, which significantly improves the course of all stages of the wound process and is relevant today due to the large number of wounded during hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Often these injuries are combined and lead to the formation of large soft tissue defects.
 The aim of the study. Improving the results of treatment of the wounded with extensive defects of the soft tissues of the torso and extremities through the use of NPWT therapy.
 Materials and methods. Under our supervision in the period from 2017 to 2020 there were 60 wounded who were hospitalized in the surgical departments of the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Southern Region, who received vacuum therapy in the treatment of wounds. 38 (63.3%) had gunshot wounds to the extremities, and 22 (36.7%) had soft tissue injuries to the torso. The age of the wounded ranged from 19 to 58 years, among them young people under 30 years of age.
 Before installing the device, it was necessary to perform surgical treatment with excision of necrotic tissue and removal of fibrin layers. Negative pressure was set at -125 mm Hg. Art. in the non-stop mode for soft tissue defects of the extremities and variable pressure in the -40 mm Hg mode. Art. -70 mm Hg Art. for wounds of the anterior abdominal wall. The duration of treatment with NPWT therapy was from 5 to 25 days. The systems were replaced at least once every 3-5 days. Criteria for discontinuation of NPWT therapy were: cleansing the wound of necrotized tissues and fibrin, improving clinical performance, filling the wound defect with granulation tissue.
 Results and discussion. The use of this method of treatment allowed to close wound defects by autodermoplasty in 21 patients (35%), primary-delayed sutures in 11 (18%), secondary sutures in 15 (25%) and local tissue plastics in 13 (22%).
 Complications after NPWT therapy in the form of re-suppuration of the wound, bleeding or perforation of hollow organs and large vessels were not observed.
 Conclusions. The use of NPWT therapy can significantly increase the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment of the wounded with damage to the soft tissues of the torso and extremities. It allows you to quickly clean the wound surface, fill the wound defect with granulation tissue and prepare the wound for plastic closure.