Efficacy of Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most serious and challenging complications of diabetes mellitus, frequently leading to infection, prolonged hospitalization, and lower-limb amputation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the rate of complete wound closure and complications of VAC therapy in treating diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a specialized diabetic foot care centre in Dhaka over 18 months (April 2020 to October 2021) and included 90 patients with Wagner’s grade 2 to grade 4 diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy was administered. Dressings were changed every 6–7 days, and each patient underwent 2–5 treatment cycles according to ulcer severity Data analysis was done by SPSS version 25.0. Results: Among 90 diabetic foot ulcer patients, male (80%) was predominant, with a mean age of 54.35 years. Most ulcers were Wagner grade 3(40%). Treatment outcomes showed that 21.6% achieved complete ulcer closure, while secondary closure and skin grafting accounted for 31.4% and 23.3%, respectively. Hospital stays ranged from 4 to 10 days, and healing time to granulation varied between 18 and 40 days. Complications were rare, affecting only 5.5% of patients, primarily due to minor bleeding or wound deterioration. Conclusion: VAC therapy is an effective and safe treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, significantly enhancing wound healing and reducing hospital stay. Its low complication rate and positive clinical outcomes support its use as a valuable modality in managing DFUs.

J Rang Med Col. 2025 Sep;10(2): 43-48