# Vacuum suction dressing for infected open calcaneal fractures: a case series

## TL;DR

Vacuum suction dressing helped heal infected foot fractures in three patients, avoiding surgery and reducing complications.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates VSD as a non-surgical, effective treatment for complex calcaneal fractures with infection risks.

## Key findings

- All three patients showed significant wound healing and recovery using vacuum suction dressing.
- VSD reduced the need for invasive surgery and prevented severe complications like infection and amputation.
- The results suggest VSD is a promising option for managing high-risk open calcaneal fractures.

## Abstract

This study reports on the management of open calcaneal fractures using vacuum suction dressing (VSD) in three cases at a tertiary care hospital. The cases include a 40-year-old man with bilateral calcaneal fractures, a 5-year-old girl with an avulsed Achilles tendon, and a 16-year-old girl with an infected open foot fracture. VSD was utilized in each case to promote wound healing, prevent severe complications like infection and amputation, and reduce the need for invasive surgery. All patients showed significant improvement, with successful wound healing and recovery over the follow-up period. The findings suggest that VSD is an effective non-surgical option for managing complex open calcaneal fractures, particularly in cases with high infection risks. However, further research is needed to establish standardized protocols for its long-term efficacy across diverse populations. The study highlights the need for more data on VSD in fracture management to validate its benefits.