KCI V.A.C.VIA Manuel D'instructions page 7

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Protect Vessels and Organs: All exposed or superficial vessels and organs in or around
the wound must be completely covered and protected prior to the administration of V.A.C.®
Therapy.
Always ensure that V.A.C.® Foam Dressings do not come in direct contact with vessels or organs.
Use of a thick layer of natural tissue should provide the most effective protection. If a thick layer
of natural tissue is not available or is not surgically possible, multiple layers of meshed, non-
adherent material or bio-engineered tissue may be considered as an alternative, if deemed by
the treating physician to provide a complete protective barrier. If using non-adherent materials,
ensure they are secured in a manner that will maintain their protective position throughout
therapy.
Consideration should also be given to the negative pressure setting and therapy mode used
when initiating therapy.
Caution should be taken when treating large wounds that may contain hidden vessels which
may not be readily apparent. The patient should be closely monitored for bleeding in a care
setting deemed appropriate by the treating physician.
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Infected Blood Vessels: Infection may erode blood vessels and weaken the vascular wall
which may increase susceptibility to vessel damage through abrasion or manipulation.
Infected blood vessels are at risk of complications, including bleeding, which, if
uncontrolled, could be potentially fatal. Extreme caution should be used when V.A.C.®
Therapy is applied in close proximity to infected or potentially infected blood vessels.
(Refer to Protect Vessels and Organs section above). The patient should be closely monitored
for bleeding in a care setting deemed appropriate by the treating physician.
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Hemostasis, Anticoagulants, and Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors: Patients without
adequate wound hemostasis have an increased risk of bleeding, which, if uncontrolled, could
be potentially fatal. These patients should be treated and monitored in a care setting deemed
appropriate by the treating physician.
Caution should be used in treating patients on doses of anticoagulants or platelet aggregation
inhibitors thought to increase their risk for bleeding (relative to the type and complexity of the
wound). Consideration should be given to the negative pressure setting and therapy mode
used when initiating therapy.
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Hemostatic Agents Applied at the Wound Site: Non-sutured hemostatic agents (for
example, bone wax, absorbable gelatin sponge or spray wound sealant) may, if disrupted,
increase the risk of bleeding, which, if uncontrolled, could be potentially fatal. Protect against
dislodging such agents. Consideration should be given to the negative pressure setting and
therapy mode used when initiating therapy.
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Sharp Edges: Bone fragments or sharp edges could puncture protective barriers, vessels
or organs, causing injury. Any injury could cause bleeding, which, if uncontrolled, could be
potentially fatal. Beware of possible shifting in the relative position of tissues, vessels or organs
within the wound that might increase the possibility of contact with sharp edges. Sharp edges
or bone fragments must be covered or eliminated from the wound area, to prevent them from
puncturing blood vessels or organs before the application of V.A.C.® Therapy. Where possible,
completely smooth and cover any residual edges to decrease the risk of serious or fatal injury,
should shifting of structures occur. Use caution when removing dressing components from the
wound so that wound tissue is not damaged by unprotected sharp edges.
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