To explore the effect and feasibility of self-made portable simplified vacuum-assisted closure therapy for patients with chronic ulcer of lower extremity.

Thirty patients from the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2016 to January 2017 with chronic ulcer of lower extremity were divided into control group and experimental group according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with routine dressing change using recombinant human epidermal growth factor gel and moist exposed burn ointment every 1 to 2 days according to the exudation of the wound, and it was prolonged to 3 days when the granulation became fresh with no exudation. While the experimental group was treated with self-made portable simplified vacuum-assisted closure therapy, which was made by vaseline gauze, sterile gauze, infusion tube, syringe and surgical patch. It was defined as a course of treatment when changing the vacuum-assisted closure. It was changed every 4 to 5 days at first and was prolonged to 5 to 7days when the wound basal condition was improved and the granulation tissue grew well. The recovery of wound was observed with times of dressing change as well as days to complete healing. Data were processed with t test.

The dressing change times of experimental group and control group were respectively (4.1±0.8) times and (11.4±2.3) times, while the healing time of the two groups were respectively (16.5±2.5) days and (22.9±4.5) days. There were significant differences between the two groups (t=11.698, 4.838; with P values below 0.05).

The self-made portable simplified vacuum-assisted closure therapy was a useful and effective method for patients with chronic ulcer of lower extremity, which can reduce the times of dressing change and shorten the wound healing time. The utility model has the advantages of simple operation and convenient carrying, and is worthy of further popularization and application in the ward as well as the outpatient department.