Abstract

Purpose. This study was conducted to determine the effect of vacuum assisted closure therapy (VAC) versus polarized light or bioptron light therapy (BLT) in the treatment of pressure ulcers (PUs). Materials and Methods. Sixty patients of both sexes suffering from pressure ulcers classified between grade II and III according to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), undergoing traditional medical treatment, participated in this study and were randomly assigned into two groups; group A, received polarized light 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks, and group B, received vacuum assisted closure therapy daily for 8 weeks. In addition to wound culture recording, wound surface area (WSA) and wound depth assessment were conducted before starting the treatment and at the end of treatment after 8 weeks of intervention. Results. Statistical analysis showed reduction in ulcer surface area and depth after treatment for both groups with high significant improvement in ulcer surface area and depth using polarized light. Conclusion. It can be concluded that both polarized light and vacuum assisted closure therapy had significant effect on pressure ulcers healing with high significant improvement in ulcer surface area and depth using polarized light compared with vacuum assisted closure therapy.

Key words:

polarized light or bioptron light therapy, vacuum assisted closure therapy, pressure ulcers