Vacuum-assisted closure of a wound is a type of therapy to help wounds heal. It’s also known as wound VAC. During the treatment, a device decreases air pressure on the wound. This can help the wound heal more quickly.

What is a wound vac and how does it work?

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a method of decreasing air pressure around a wound to assist the healing. It’s also referred to as negative pressure wound therapy. During a VAC procedure, a healthcare professional applies a foam bandage over an open wound, and a vacuum pump creates negative pressure around the wound.

A drainage tube is stuck over a hole in the adhesive film and connects to a portable vacuum pump. This pump creates a suction effect on the wound, either in cycles or continuously, which can help wounds heal more quickly in several ways. The dressing is usually changed every 4 to 7 days.

How long does a VAC dressing stay on?

Length of Wound Vac Treatment

For those who are wondering how long a wound vac needs to stay on, most healthcare professionals recommend changing the dressing every 48 to 72 hours or at least three times a week. If the wound is infected, it may require the dressing to be changed more often.

“How long will we need to use the wound vac before a wound heals?” Results vary greatly by size, situation and type of wound. However, with proper use and monitoring of wound vacs, we find that many wounds heal within 4 – 6 weeks when using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).