Résumé
Objective To evaluate the effect of vacuumassisted closure (VAC) combining surgical treatments on chronic osteomyelitis after severe open fractures. Methods Fifty-eight patients with severe high energy open fractures were enrolled,35 patients were randomized to the experimental group and had identical treatment except that VAC was applied to the wounds between irrigation and debridement procedures, 23 patients were randomized to the control group and underwent initial irrigation and debridement followed by standard fine mesh gauze dressing. The infection rate, therapeutic effect and health condition were evaluated between the two groups. Results All patients were followed up for 14 - 36 (28.0 ± 7.3 ) months.Control group developed 7 cases ( 30.4%, 7/23 ) with deep infections, whereas experimental group developed 2 cases (5.7%,2/35) with deep infections. There was significant difference between the two groups (P =0.024). There were 24 cases (68.6%,24/35) grade A healing in experimental group,whereas there were 13cases (56.5%, 13/23) grade A in control group,the difference was very singificant (P＜0.05). The health total score of experimental group was higher than that of control group at 3,9 months after operation (P =0.013,0.005). Conclusions Patients treated with VAC have a higher recovery rate,shorter length of stay and satisfactory curative effect compared with patients randomized to the traditional methods. VAC represents a promising new therapy for osteomyelitis after severe open fractures.