OUTCOME OF VAC THERAPY IN TYPE 3 TIBIAL FRACTURES AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS AND SMOKERS

Dr. Prashanth Reddy P; Dr. Arjun A.; Dr. Mahesh J. Nerkar; Dr. Nitin N. Sunku

doi:10.65605/a-jmrhs.2026.v04.i01.pp833-839

Authors

Dr. Prashanth Reddy P Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic’s, Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India. Author
Dr. Arjun A. Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic, Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India. Author
Dr. Mahesh J. Nerkar Assistant Professor, Department General Medicine, Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India. Author
Dr. Nitin N. Sunku Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, The Oxford Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65605/a-jmrhs.2026.v04.i01.pp833-839

Keywords:

Vacuum Assisted Closure, Type IIIB Open Tibia Fractures.

Abstract

Background

Wound healing is one of the most challenging clinical problems in wound management, especially in high-energy open fractures. This study was conducted to assess the influence of smoking and diabetes on wound healing in open tibial fractures using VAC (Vacuum-Assisted Closure) dressing in comparison to conventional dressing.

Methods

Patients with open type IIIB tibial fractures were enrolled in the study following approval and clearance from the institutional ethical committee. Wound scores before and after application of VAC, as well as reduction in the size of the wounds, were recorded.

Results

The mean age of the conventional dressing group was 38.60 ± 15.41 years, with the majority, 60% belonging to 20-40 age range. The percentage of patients with scores of 1 and 2 increased significantly after application of VAC, while there were no patients with scores of 3 and 4. Reduction in size of wound among smokers was significantly less compared to non-smokers after VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure). The reduction was greater among diabetics than in non-diabetics with VAC.

Conclusions

Utilization of VAC in the management of open tibial fractures was found to be beneficial in both smokers and diabetics, more so in the latter group of patients.