Routine Use of Wound Vacuum-Assisted Closure Does Not Allow Coverage Delay for Open Tibia Fractures

Abstract

Routine use of vacuum-assisted closure with open tibia fractures is safe and provides a good primary dressing over open wounds. For Gustilo grade IIIB tibia fractures, vacuum-assisted closure therapy does not allow delay of soft-tissue coverage past 7 days without a concomitant elevation in infection rates.