Role of vacuum sealing drainage in treatment of wound infection after surgical operation of traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective To compare the application of debridement combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) versus debridement combined with conventional dressing change in patients with subscalp infection following surgical treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and investigate the effect of VSD in treatment of wound infection associated with surgery for TBI.Methods A retrospective review was conducted on clinical data of 60 TBI patients with combined wound infection after decompressive craniotomy between August 2005 and January 2012.According to the treatment modalities after admission,the patients were divided into debridement combined with VSD group (Group A) and debridement combined with conventional dressing change group (Group B),with 30 patients per group.Then wound healing,infection relapse rate and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Results All 60 patients were followed up for 12-36 months (mean 21.6 months).The wound infection did not recur after surgery in Group A and sutures were removed in time.Seven patients (23％) in Group B presented with recurrent wound infection after the removal of wound drainage tube,which was healed after an additional debridement and drainage as well as the delay of suture removal.Wound healing time (13 d vs 22 d),dressing change frequency (3 times vs 8 times),length of hospital stay (17 d vs 26 d),antibiotic use duration (7 d vs 14 d),and time to drop the body temperature to normal after operation (2 d vs 4 d) in Group A and B respectively showed significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion In treatment of wound infection associated with decompressive craniotomy for TBI,VSD is beneficial for rapid healing of the infected wound and is worthy of wide clinical use. Key words: Brain injuries; Infection; Drainage