The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of complications and adverse events (AE) in wounds treated with negative pressure wound therapy using the vacuum assisted wound closure compared to moist wound care among patients treated in an outpatient care setting.

As the interest in wound healing increases so does the number of new therapies designed to help wounds heal. During this process of development many experiences, evaluations and research studies are undertaken but often clinicians find it difficult to locate all relevant literature. As part of a wider WUWHS a consensus document has been developed on vacuum assisted closure to summarise recommendations on the use of this therapy.�

Some decades ago, granulation tissue was stigmatised by teachers as a potential enemy. Full of germs, not reliable in terms of wound bed to be grafted, to be removed before any flap procedure. Surgeons began to change their mind essentially in acute wounds when bone, tendons, and all ?noble tissues? could be covered by a granulation free of germs, reliable to be grafted, etc.

Topical negative pressure therapy (TNP) is a standard treatment for acute and chronic wounds. Only few studies, however, have addressed the question of patient-defined benefits in TNP.�

There are few studies in wound care that provide full cost-effectiveness analysis.

�It is estimated that the total annual cost to the NHS of managing chronic wounds is in the order of �3bn per year (Posnett, 2008). If these costs are to be reduced it is important that effective and co-ordinated wound care is delivered optimising both the cost of service provision and the outcome for the patient.

Pressure ulcers are a serious health issue, leading to clinical, financial, and emotional challenges. Numerous treatment modalities are available to promote wound healing, so an organized approach to incorporating vacuum assited closure therapy into an overall plan of care for the patient with a pressure ulcer is required.

Dr. Fife discusses a study that compared the frequency of complications and adverse events (AE) in wounds treated with negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum assisted closure therapy, compared to moist wound care among patients treated in an outpatient care setting.�

Over the last years, vacuum asisited closure therapy showed a great development and the application field extended its indications for this therapy. These results were published in several journals around the globe.

Mr. van Doorn discusses a study on the effects of vacuum assisted closure therapy in patients with acute or chronic wounds treated in the home care setting.