Volume 8, Issue 3 (2019)                   WJPS 2019, 8(3): 279-284 | Back to browse issues page

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The Role of Vacuum Assisted Closure in Patients with Pressure Ulcer and Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review
Avraam Ploumis 1, George Mpourazanis2 , Christina Martzivanou2 , Pantelis Mpourazanis3 , Areti Theodorou4
1- University of Ioannina, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , aploumis@cc.uoi.gr
2- University of Ioannina, Department of Medicine
3- Univeristy of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry
4- University of Ioannina, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Abstract:   (3727 Views)
BACKGROUND
Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) tend to develop pressure ulcers (PrUs) because of prolonged immobility. This study assessed the efficacy of vacuum assisted closure for healing of PrUs in individuals with SCI.
METHODS
In a systematic review, CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Trials, DARE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, PsycInfo and Spinal Cord Journal were searched in March 2019. The search combined related terms for pressure ulcer, spinal cord injury, and vacuum assisted closure. Each database was searched from its inception with no restrictions on year of publication. 
RESULTS
The search yielded 7 studies for inclusion in a qualitative analysis. The studies included a variety of methodologies, specifically 2 randomized controlled trials, 2 assessor-blinded crossover and retrospective cohort study, 1 prospective non-randomized trial, 1 randomized case study and 1 case report. The meta-analysis was unsuccessful. Only descriptive results mean±SD were reported as well as time to heal and time to discharge after admission. 
CONCLUSION
The studies that we included in our qualitative synthesis showed that vacuum assisted closure promoted the healing of PrUs in individuals with SCI.
Keywords: Pressure ulcer, Spinal cord injury, Vacuum assisted closure, Intermittent negative pressure
Full-Text [PDF 318 kb]   (2075 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Review Article | Subject: General
ePublished: 2019/09/13
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