Vacuum Therapy for Deep Wound Infection after Achilles Tendon Repair. Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie [Z Orthop Unfall] Journal article

AIM: Vacuum therapy is a valuable option for wound healing complications. After reconstruction of the ruptured achilles tendon, deep wound infections are difficult to handle due to impaired circulation of the bradytrophic tissue which leads to infection and a protracted healing process. Consecutive necrosis of the achilles tendon results in a poor clinical outcome. We could prove that vacuum therapy is the method of choice for wound healing complications in this delicate area.
METHODS: We treated 5 patients with deep wound infection and exposed achilles tendon after reconstruction.
RESULTS: In all cases we achieved complete closure. The function of the achilles tendon was not impaired. Sonography confirmed the integrity of the tendon in all cases. Duration of therapy was 8.4 days for inpatient treatment and 64.4 days overall. 3 patients received a mesh-graft transplantation after wound ground preconditioning with vacuum therapy, all others achieved complete restoration with vacuum only.
CONCLUSION: Vacuum therapy is a valuable option for the treatment of infected achilles tendon after surgical repair. After wound ground conditioning, it can protect mesh-graft transplants in this delicate area even in non-compliant patients.

Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie [Z Orthop Unfall]