Effectiveness of Low-Cost Vacuum-Assisted Closure Using Locally Available Materials for Wound Healing: A Prospective Interventional Case Series From a Public-Sector Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Impaired wound healing is associated with delayed granulation, infection, repeated dressings, prolonged hospital stay, and increased treatment costs.Commercial vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) systems are effective but often unaffordable in public-sector and resource-limited settings.This study evaluated wound healing outcomes, safety, and direct dressing-material expenditure associated with a low-cost VAC system using locally available materials.Methods: This prospective, single-arm, interventional case series was conducted at a public-sector tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India, over one month, from 16 July 2026 to 15 August 2026.Fifteen adult patients requiring wound bed preparation for delayed or impaired wound healing, including non-healing wounds and large ulcers, were included after obtaining written informed consent.Low-cost VAC therapy was administered using a sterilised sponge, suction tubing or Ryle's tube, an airtight adhesive drape, and wall or portable suction, maintaining negative pressure of -100 to -125 mmHg.Wound area was estimated by multiplying the maximum length and width.Outcomes included granulation tissue formation, estimated percentage wound-area reduction, final wound management, complications, and dressing-material expenditure.Results: The mean age was 40.60 ± 10.87 years, and 10 patients (66.7%) were male.Post-operative wounds were the most common, occurring in seven patients (46.7%).Comorbidities were present in 10 patients (66.7%), with type 2 diabetes mellitus being the most common.Baseline bacterial growth was observed in 10 patients (66.7%).Healthy granulation tissue developed within three to four days in 14 patients (93.3%).Mean estimated wound-area reduction was 35.33 ± 6.67% by Day 7 and 72.67 ± 12.08% by Day 14.Seven patients (46.7%) became suitable for skin grafting or secondary suturing.No major complications were reported.Direct dressing-material expenditure was approximately ₹50 per dressing, comprising ₹20 for the sterilised sponge and ₹30 for gauze; suction tubing and adhesive drapes were supplied without direct charge by the government hospital.The estimated dressing-material expenditure per patient was ₹150-₹200 for three to four dressing changes, compared with an estimated ₹6,000-₹20,000 for commercial VAC dressings.Conclusion: Low-cost VAC therapy is a feasible, safe, effective, and economical option for managing nonhealing wounds in resource-limited hospital settings.