Vacuum-assisted Closure (Turtle VAC) in the Management of Traumatic Shell Defects in Chelonians

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wound management is an important and challenging aspect of care in the chelonian patient. Shell injuries are slow to heal and wound management is labor intensive. While shell fractures can be reduced with screws and wire or metal bridging, shell defects exposing underlying soft-tissue are usually treated with wet-to-dry bandages. These bandages need to be changed twice a day and continuous care is generally needed for weeks to months due to the slow healing process of chelonians. Vacuum-assisted closure has been shown to increase the rate of wound healing in humans, and offers an alternative to wet-to-dry bandages. This technique is particularly well suited for use in chelonians. We report the use of vacuum-assisted closure in 13 chelonian patients with traumatic shell defects, where underlying tissue was exposed.