Effects of Simultaneous versus Staged VAC Placement in the Treatment of Deep Neck Multiple-Space Infections at a Tertiary Hospital Over a Four-Year Period in China

Figures & data

Figure 1 Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in the treatment of deep neck infection. Simultaneous VAC: (A) The abscess cavity was exposed, and necrotic tissues were removed. (B) The foam material was then placed into the infected area, and the transparent film completely covered the wound to ensure sealing. In addition, the VAC device was connected. Staged VAC: (C) Infection wound failed to heal after conventional drainage and repeated debridement. (D) The VAC device was then placed into the infected area to facilitate wound healing. White arrows in (B and D) indicate the foam material and the transparent film, respectively.

Table 1 General Information

Patient Demographics	Simultaneous Placement (n=11)	Asynchronous Placement (n=13)	P value
Age (year)	58 (47–65)	57 (41–79)	0.586
Male/Female	9/2	11/2	0.648
BMI (kg/m^2)	25.38 (22.09–31.63)	24.76 (17.99–35.16)	0.902
Diabetic ratio	6/11 (54.5%)	7/13 (53.8%)	0.528
Incision time after onset (days)	8 (5–16)	10 (4–21)	0.301
Tracheotomy	5/11 (45.5%)	8/13 (61.5%)	0.268

Table 2 Characteristics of Infection

	Simultaneous Placement (n=11)	Asynchronous Placement (n=13)	P value
Odontogenic/Non-odontogenic	6/5	6/7	0.608
Involved Region
Submental and submandibular	9	12	0.619
Parapharyngeal	11	13	-
Retropharyngeal	4	8	0.472
Prevertebral	1	2	0.684
Mediastinal infection	4	5	0.443
Multiple bacterial infections	2	4	0.344
Negative of bacterial culture	3	2	0.262

Table 3 Evaluation of Efficacy

	Simultaneous Placement (n=11)	Asynchronous Placement (n=13)	P value
Hospital stays length (days)	10 (4–18)	22 (8–35)	0.001**
Healing length (days)	21 (4–39)	50 (9–86)	0.016*
Number of debridement	1 (1–2)	2 (1–4)	0.045*
Number of replacement	2 (1–2)	2 (1–4)	0.336
Disease course (days)	31.5 (11–49)	56 (19–98)	0.016*

Notes: *Statistical significance; **Significant statistical significance.