### What is Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure? Vacuum-assisted wound closure, also known as wound VAC or negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), is a treatment that uses gentle suction to help wounds heal. This therapy involves a special dressing connected to a pump that gently draws fluid and infection from the wound. ### How Does It Work? When the pump is turned on, it creates a very gentle suction that removes excess fluid from the wound over time. This process helps in several ways: - **Removes Excess Fluid:** After surgery, a buildup of extra fluid, known as edema, can cause swelling, increase the risk of infection, and delay healing. Wound VAC therapy slowly draws this fluid off, relieving pressure and reducing swelling. - **Reduces Bacteria:** Infection can prevent the wound from healing. Wound VAC therapy helps by removing some of the bacteria, lowering the risk of infection and allowing healing to progress. - **Improves Blood Flow:** Good blood flow is essential for bringing repair cells to the wound, removing bacteria and dead cells, and delivering oxygen. The negative pressure of wound VAC therapy increases the speed at which fluids move through the blood vessels, promoting better blood flow. - **Encourages Growth of Repair Tissue:** The body creates new tissue to bind the edges of the wound together and fill any gaps. Studies have shown that vacuum-assisted closure stimulates the growth of this repair tissue. - **Pulls Wound Edges Together:** The treatment shrinks the size of the wound and draws the edges together, making it easier for the body to repair the gap. - **Stabilizes the Wound:** Like a cast keeps a broken bone from moving, negative pressure wound therapy keeps the wound still, helping it heal and preventing reinjury. ### When is it Used? Wound VAC treatment is ideal for difficult-to-heal wounds. ### What to Expect? A nurse will change the dressing 2 to 3 times a week, more often if the wound is infected. If you need help with your wound VAC dressing at home, talk with your doctor. They may connect you with a home health service or help you find another qualified caregiver. You cannot bathe or swim with a wound VAC dressing, but you can disconnect the pump long enough to shower. If an alarm sounds on the pump, there may be a leak in the dressing. Call your home health nurse or the clinic where your dressing is changed and ask them to replace the dressing. ### When to Call Your Doctor? Call your doctor if you experience any issues during wound VAC treatment.