Abstract
Background
“Complex wounds” is a term used to group those well-known difficult wounds, either chronic or acute, that challenge medical and nursing teams. To compare the healing of complex wounds using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Methods
Forty adult patients, suffering from complex wounds, were equally allocated to either group I (VAC) or group II (PRP) using stratified sequential allocation method. Patients’ opinion of both groups was assessed through a questionnaire. Evaluation of the wound was through main and associate assessment parameters using clinical observation and check list.
Results
There was no significant demographic or wound size and grade difference between patients of both groups. Wounds of both groups became significantly smaller compared to their initial size at the end of the study period. PRP was associated with significantly less pain in the wound. Significantly higher healing percentage was observed in VAC group but with no significant difference in the hospital stay from PRP group.
Conclusions
Both modalities attained sound healing as well as a significant decrease in the wound size at the end of follow-up period. VAC was significantly superior in highly exudative and deep wounds.
Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.
