Comparative Evaluation of Wound Healing and Wound Contraction Time in Diabetic Foot Ulcers Treated with Vacuum-assisted Closure and Conventional Dressing

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus, often resulting in prolonged hospitalization, infection, amputation, and increased mortality. Despite advances in wound care, achieving timely healing remains challenging. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has emerged as a promising technique that promotes wound healing through enhanced angiogenesis, removal of exudates, and improved infection control. This study compared the effectiveness of VAC therapy with conventional dressing in the management of diabetic foot wounds.

Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Uttar Pradesh, from October 2022 to September 2023. Sixty patients with diabetic wounds were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: 30 patients received VAC therapy and 30 received conventional dressings. Wound healing parameters, including wound area reduction, healing time, infection control, and overall outcome, were assessed weekly for three months. Statistical analysis was performed using the unpaired Student’s t-test and chi-square test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics. The VAC group demonstrated significantly greater wound healing outcomes compared to the conventional dressing group. The mean reduction in wound area was 18.44 ± 3.68 mm² in the VAC group versus 7.08 ± 0.85 mm² in the conventional group. Percentage wound area reduction was also higher in the VAC group (33.8 ± 3.89%) compared with the conventional group (12.89 ± 1.89%). Additionally, the average wound contracture duration was shorter with VAC therapy (4.47 ± 0.39 weeks) than with conventional dressing (6.14 ± 0.45 weeks).

Conclusion: VAC therapy demonstrated superior efficacy over conventional dressing in promoting wound healing, reducing wound size, shortening healing duration, and controlling infection in diabetic wounds. These findings support the use of VAC therapy as an effective and preferred treatment modality for diabetic foot ulcers.