[McRobb]

Hello all - my question for the day - if you have ever had a wound vac on a pressure sore, at what point in the healing process did they take the vac off??

My wound is now about the size of a nickel and just about 2/3 inch deep. I am so anxious to get out of bed as I have been down now for over 9 months healing this thing. I wondered if the doctors ever just sew the thing up when it gets close to healing but my doctor says he doesn't think that is the thing to do. But, he does not deal with pressure sores very often so I think he is learning along with me. At this point, we are seeing very little change in the wound and progress is excruciatingly slow. We have tried intermitant vac (5 minutes pumping and off for 2 minutes) that was supposed to heal this faster but have not seen the improvement we had hoped for.

Does the tissue have to fully fill the hole before they take it off? Have been told I will have to stay down another 2 weeks after the vac is off to allow the wound to cure out. Does that agree with your experience? Would appreciate sharing in your experience or knowledge. Thanks.

[edlee]

Gotta tell you, McRobb,,, I had mine on till it was almost totally healed,,, but I never was "down". I did everything I normally did. Was in my chair ( with a Roho) for ten to fourteen hours a day. It may have taken a few months longer,, but I wasn't about to accept bedrest. It healed,, what more can I say? Four years later and no problems,, except for the NASTY lucky scar where the sore was.

Everybodies body is different,, but what I liked about the VAC was that it let me live my life. Except for swimming,, I did what I wanted. My doctors didn't have a problem with it,,, and they were quite familiar with the system.

Good luck with it.
ed

[Kimu]

pressure sores are tricky as they're different for everybody. In my experience (nurse on spinal unit!) the vac stays on untill the wound is up level with the skin. Taking it off, or stitching the sides of the wound together isnt a good idea as it could break down worse. When the wound is healed, you would then have to go on a sitting tolerance reigme (getting up in small doses and slowly increasing the time in your chair each day). Make sure you look after it and let it heal. It may be frustrating staying in bed all the time now, but its better to heal it properly than have it break down more. The more it breaks down, the harder it is to heal the second, third, fourth time around.
Have you consulted a plastic surgeon thats experienced with pressure areas? Would probably be a good idea if your current dr doesnt know much about them. Good luck with it!!!