Comparative efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage with moist exposed burn ointment versus hydrogel dressing in pediatric open fracture wounds

Pediatric open fractures present major challenges in wound management because of high infection risk and delayed healing. This study compared the clinical efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) versus VSD combined with hydrogel dressings in pediatric open fracture wounds. A retrospective analysis was performed in 222 pediatric patients with refractory fracture wounds, including 119 treated with VSD + MEBO and 103 treated with VSD + hydrogel dressings. Outcomes assessed included wound healing time, overall treatment efficacy, total treatment cost, pain intensity evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), serum inflammatory markers [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)], and complication rates. Compared with the VSD + hydrogel group, the VSD + MEBO group demonstrated significantly faster wound healing and lower total treatment costs (both P < 0.001). VAS scores on days 3 and 5 after dressing application were also significantly lower in the VSD + MEBO group (P < 0.001). Moreover, serum levels of hs-CRP, PCT, and IL-6 on day 7 were significantly reduced in the VSD + MEBO group compared with the VSD + hydrogel group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in overall treatment efficacy or complication rates (P > 0.05), indicating comparable safety. In conclusion, VSD combined with MEBO accelerates wound healing, reduces inflammation and pain, and lowers treatment costs in pediatric open fracture wounds, demonstrating potential clinical advantages.