“NEGATIVE PRESSURE, POSITIVE OUTCOMES: EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF VACUUM-ASSISTED CLOSURE (VAC) THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX WOUNDS”

Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) therapy, also referred to as Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), has emerged as a pivotal innovation in the management of complex wounds, offering an alternative to conventional dressing methods. The principle of VAC therapy involves the application of controlled sub-atmospheric pressure to the wound bed, promoting microdeformation, enhancing angiogenesis, reducing edema, and facilitating effective exudate management (Banwell & Téot, 2003). Over the past two decades, a growing body of clinical evidence has highlighted its efficacy in accelerating wound healing rates, reducing bacterial load, and improving patient comfort and overall outcomes (Argenta & Morykwas, 1997). Studies demonstrate that VAC therapy can significantly shorten healing time in acute and chronic wounds, reduce surgical site infections, and decrease hospital stay duration, thereby contributing to improved cost-effectiveness in wound care (Blume et al., 2008; Vuerstaek et al., 2006). Its versatility across diverse wound etiologies—including traumatic injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores, and post-surgical wounds—has reinforced its role in evidence-based clinical practice. However, limitations such as cost, contraindications, and potential adverse events necessitate careful patient selection and standardized protocol adherence to optimize outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the mechanisms, indications, comparative effectiveness, clinical outcomes, and future directions of VAC therapy, aiming to provide clinicians and researchers with a comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic potential and limitations in the context of complex wound management.