Vacuum-assisted closure therapy: wound care and nursing implications.

The management of chronic, nonhealing, draining wounds is challenging for the wound, ostomy, and continence nurse and other health care providers involved in skin integrity care. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has proven cost efficient, safe, and effective as a treatment modality in wound care. The background, description, mechanisms of action, indications for use, and nursing implications of VAC therapy are presented.