TITLE:
The Use of the V.A.C. RX-4 for Multiple Soft Tissue Wound Application in the Single Patient: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Emily R. Kindal, Kaitlin J. Larson, Luis G. Fernandez, Sean F. O’Keefe, Marc R. Matthews
KEYWORDS:
V.A.C. RX-4, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Wounds, V.A.C. Ulta, Footprint, Burns
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
29,
2022
ABSTRACT: Contact burn injuries account for a considerable
proportion of admissions that frequently
require debridement. Such debridements of these multiple open wounds
might benefit from the application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
for the removal of proinflammatory mediators and to promote granulation tissue
with macrostrain and microstrain. Having four or more Vacuum Assist Closure
(V.A.C.) Ulta devices connected to the same patient for adequate wound coverage is cumbersome in the management of the patient’s wound care and tethers the
patient to the bed. The V.A.C. RX-4 is a multichannel device that can deliver
NPWT with a smaller footprint. In addition, the V.A.C. RX-4 has a weight of 16
lbs. versus one V.A.C Ulta which is 7.4 lbs. Therefore, collectively, four
V.A.C. Ultas would equal 29.6 lbs. or almost double the weight of a single
V.A.C. RX-4. Use of the V.A.C. RX-4 by healthcare
providers can mean greater mobility for the patient and easier transport
between patient destinations within the hospital. This case report demonstrates
the utility of the V.A.C. RX-4 for open and freshly debrided, large soft tissue
wounds in a burn patient.