Recurring wounds in a diabetic with multiple medical problems: lower extremity wound care.

Acute trauma leading to open wounds in the lower extremity of a patient with diabetes mellitus can be life threatening. Diabetes mellitus complicates and compromises wound care and tissue repair for several reasons. This case report describes the successful wound care treatment modalities used in the care of a 53-year-old male who presented with diabetes and a full-thickness lower leg wound.

Vacuum-assisted closure therapy: wound care and nursing implications.

The management of chronic, nonhealing, draining wounds is challenging for the wound, ostomy, and continence nurse and other health care providers involved in skin integrity care. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has proven cost efficient, safe, and effective as a treatment modality in wound care. The background, description, mechanisms of action, indications for use, and nursing implications of VAC therapy are presented.