Applications of vacuum sealing drainage in treating seawater-immersed sulfur mustard injury

ABSTRACT

Vacuum sealing drainage has excellent therapeutic effects on the complex injuries. There is no relevant report on seawater-immersed sulfur mustard injury. The treatment effects were examined with miniature pigs. Injuries were performed on their back followed by vacuum sealing drainage at various pressures for nine days. Injured tissues were sampled up to 30 d after treatment and healing rates, levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and vascular endothelial growth factor were recorded. Vacuum sealing drainage enhances the healing of sulfur mustard wounds significantly, reduces the interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in the wound, and increases the vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Pressure reduction by 180 mmHg is the most suitable condition for vacuum treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Seawater immersion
• chemical weapon
• sulfur mustard
• intractable wound

Disclosure statement

All authors have no conflict of interest regarding this paper.