Product Focus 30/4/01 2:22 pm Page 1
PRODUCT FOCUS
VACUTEX ™: a dressing designed
for patients, tailored by nurses
Abstract
VACUTEX™ is a new rapid capillary action dressing comprising three
layers: two 100% polyester filament outer layers, and a 65% polyester
and 35% cotton woven inner layer. The outer surfaces are fused in such
a way as to prevent micro fibres shedding within the wound bed. No two
wounds are alike, and wounds are often located in difficult-to-dress
areas. This article will describe how VACUTEX™, when used with
creativity, addresses many of the challenges of wound management.
O
ne of the most fascinating features of
the human body is its ability to
repair damaged tissue, and the
subsequent complex set of events that
occur upon injury to the skin (Russell and
Evans, 1999).
Chronic wounds often contain devitalized
tissue, which is often referred to as slough or
eschar. Debridement is defined as the removal
of devitalized or contaminated tissue which is
adjacent to a traumatic or infected wound,
until the surrounding healthy tissue is
exposed. This may also include the removal of
foreign material that has become embedded in
the wound (Dorlands Electronic Medical
Dictionary, 1998). Within chronic wounds,
debridement relates to the removal of necrotic
tissue (Miller, 1996).
Debridement is necessary in order to allow
the wound to be fully assessed and graded
(Vowden and Vowden, 1999), and has also
been regarded as one element in the healing
process (Fowler and Van Rijswijk, 1995).
In some wounds, debridement and tissue
rehydration (essential in aiding debridement
and promoting autolysis), may be considered
inappropriate, and therefore should only be
carried out after careful wound and patient
Michelle Deeth is Clinical assessment.
Nurse Specialist, Tissue
Viability, and Lucy Pain is VACUTEX™
Research Nurse, Tissue
Viability, Glenfield Hospital,
University Hospitals of All wounds are different and they are often
Leicester NHS Trust, located in difficult areas, hence the huge
Leicester
range of wound management products avail-
able (Hallet and Hampton, 1999).
268
Michelle Deeth, Lucy Pain
The VACUTEX™ capillary dressing, manu-
factured by Protex Capillary Dressings Ltd, is
a three-layer, non-woven/woven, low-adher-
ent dressing, which comprises 100% poly-
ester filament outer layers, 65%/35%
poly/cotton fibres.
The layers are fused in such a way as to
prevent micro fibres from the dressing shed-
ding on to the wound bed. The non-woven
outer layers are able to transport and lift
necrotic and sloughy tissue using a capillary
action. The polyester and cotton woven inner
layer prevents strikethrough by allowing
wound debridement to move across the
dressing, utilizing its capillary action. The
inner and outer layers combine to draw the
exudate away from the wound surface, there-
by reducing the risk of infection by removing
harmful bacteria and preventing maceration
of the wound.
Many dressings have the ability to
absorb wound exudate and debris, but
VACUTEX™ has the capacity to ‘pull’ exu-
date and interstitial fluid from the wound
bed and transport it initially to the central
layer of the dressing, and then onward to the
third layer of the dressing.
VACUTEX™ therefore, draws unwanted
exudate/necrotic tissue and slough from the
wound, providing a clean environment for
healing to commence. This is achieved via an
accelerated capillary action. The dressing
offers protection and insulation for the
wound, while maintaining a warm and moist
environment.
The construction of the dressing allows flu-
ids to travel just below the surface and along
and across the material, thus preventing exu-
date from coming into contact with any
potentially macerated wound edges.
VACUTEX™ is soft and conformable, pro-
viding pain-free application and removal. The
dressing can be applied in layers, depending
on exudate levels needing to be removed. If
exudate levels are high, VACUTEX™ can be
used in multiple layers to contain wound exu-
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING, 2001, VOL 10, NO 4
Product Focus 30/4/01 2:22 pm Page 2

VACUTEX™: A DRESSING DESIGNED FOR PATIENTS, TAILORED BY NURSES

‘
date. Each extra layer will draw the contents VACUTEX™
of the first layer through the various layers
applied. The dressing will retain its integrity
dressings need
even when saturated. to be cut and
VACUTEX™ dressings need to be cut and individually tailored
individually tailored to each wound and
wound type, thus enabling healthcare profes-
to each wound and
sionals to make a real contribution to the wound type, thus
ideal dressing for each patient. enabling healthcare
Russell and Evans (1999) suggest that cap-
illary action dressings are a cost-effective
professionals to
wound management product as they can often make a real
remain in place for longer than other dress- Figure 1. The initial wound before dressing contribution to the
ings. VACUTEX™ is priced at up to 30% less with VACUTEX™.
than other modern wound management prod-
ideal dressing for
ucts (Protex Capillary Dressings Ltd pricing each patient
list, November 2000). Randomized compara- ...capillary action
tive trials on the use of VACUTEX™ as a
wound debridement are currently being
dressings are a
undertaken in the UK and USA. cost-effective wound
management product
CASE STUDY 1
as they can often
Mrs A is a 76-year-old woman who was diag- remain in place

’
nosed with breast cancer and admitted for a for longer than
left breast mastectomy. Following surgery, Figure 2. Wound progress 8 days after using
dehiscence of the wound occurred after the VACUTEX™.
other dressings.
removal of the clips. Three days later, surgical
debridement of the wound was performed by
the consultant, who then referred Mrs A to
the tissue viability team for advice on wound
management.
The initial assessment showed the wound
bed to be 80% sloughy, with 20% granula-
tion tissue present. Large amounts of serous
fluid were leaking, and therefore the tissue
viability nurse recommended VACUTEX™ to
be used. The advantage of using
VACUTEX™ is its ability to absorb high
amounts of exudate while debriding the
wound bed by utilizing its accelerated capil- Figure 3. Wound progress 15 days after using
lary action, creating a ‘drawing’ effect. VACUTEX™.
Day 1: The wound measured 20 cm
length x 10 cm width. VACUTEX™ was cut
into a 1 cm wide ribbon and packed loosely
into the wound. For extra absorption, two
further sheets of VACUTEX™ were placed
over the wound and secured with tape
(Figure 1).
Day 8: VACUTEX™ was changed daily for
the first 7 days. The wound bed had signifi-
cantly improved, with 95% granulation tis-
sue and 5% slough present. The width now
measured 8 cm. The VACUTEX™ dressing
was containing the exudate well (Figure 2). Figure 4. Wound during the fourth week.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING, 2001, VOL 10, NO 4 269

Product Focus 30/4/01 2:22 pm Page 3

PRODUCT FOCUS

‘
The nursing
staff were
amazed with the
improvement of the
wound in such a
short time, and once
they were familiar
with VACUTEX™
they found it easy
to design individual
patient wound
management....
with the use of
VACUTEX™ Figure 5. The initial wound before dressing
with VACUTEX™.
dressings, an ideal
environment for Day 15: Dressing changes took place on alter-
nate days. Mrs A found the dressing comfort-
wound healing able and was able to maintain her indepen-
is commenced. dence. The depth of the wound had reduced Figure 6. Wound progress 8 days after using
Its method of from 2.5 cm to 1 cm. The wound bed was VACUTEX™.
healthy, with 100% granulation tissue
application and present (Figure 3). The wound presented as a large and sloughy
removal is The wound was photographed in the cavity in very close proximity to the stoma

’
nurse and fourth week (Figure 4). The VACUTEX™
dressing was able to contain the wound exu-
patient friendly. date for a minimum of 3 days, while prevent-
ing maceration of the wound edges and sur-
rounding skin.
Mrs A was discharged to a community hos-
pital 41⁄2 weeks after surgical debridement.
The wound at this point measured
18 cm x 5 cm, and was superficial in depth.
Mrs A expressed that, since using the
VACUTEX™ dressing, she felt confident the
odour and exudate were managed so effec-
tively that she was able to integrate with
other patients and her family.
CASE STUDY 2
This case study is of a 55-year-old lady, Mrs
B, who had been admitted to hospital to
undergo a Hartmann’s procedure. As a result
of slow postoperative recovery she remained
in the intensive care unit (ITU) for 4 days. She
was then discharged from the ITU to one of
the surgical wards in the hospital. On the
tenth postoperative day, the sutures were
removed from her abdomen, which led to
wound dehiscence.
site. The ward staff referred the patient to the
tissue viability team for wound management
advice. VACUTEX™ capillary action dressing
was recommended to aid the debridement
process and absorb the high exudate levels.
Day 1: Figure 5 shows the wound before using
VACUTEX™. It measured 25 cm length, 8 cm
wide and 3 cm depth with 40% sloughy tissue
present. VACUTEX™ was changed daily for
the first 7 days. The dressing was cut into
small circles, each layer increasing in size and
built up to fit the lower part of the wound,
ensuring close contact with the wound bed.
Day 8: The wound had reduced in depth and
showed visible signs that the VACUTEX™
dressing had debrided the wound debris and
slough (Figure 6).
Day 15: The exudate levels had reduced consid-
erably, requiring dressing changes on alternate
days only. Figure 7 demonstrates the decrease in
wound size when compared with Figure 5.
Day 22: The upper part of the wound mea-
sured 10 cm x 2 cm and was full of healthy
granulation tissue. The lower wound only
had a small area of slough to the wound bed,
with majority of granulation tissue present
(Figure 8).

270 BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING, 2001, VOL 10, NO 4

Product Focus 30/4/01 2:22 pm Page 4

VACUTEX™: A DRESSING DESIGNED FOR PATIENTS, TAILORED BY NURSES

Figure 7. Wound progress 15 days after using Figure 8. The wound after 22 days,
VACUTEX™. demonstrating decrease in wound size.

The nursing staff were amazed with the clinically effective, incorporating good clin-
improvement of the wound in such a short ically tested evidence.
time, and once they were familiar with KEY POINTS
VACUTEX™ they found it easy to design CONCLUSION
individual patient wound management. ■ VACUTEX™ is a
These case studies have presented a new These case studies describe the benefits of unique wound
dressing product that provides an ultimate VACUTEX™ capillary action dressing, dressing, designed
wound healing environment. The case studies demonstrating the rapid wound debridement for patients, but
show that with the use of VACUTEX™ dress- and improved healing rates. tailored by nurses.
ing, an ideal environment for wound healing Published results from current clinical stud-
is commenced. Its method of application and ies will be available from March 2001. BJN ■ When used with
removal is nurse and patient friendly. creativity,
VACUTEX™ is available from Protex Capillary
Dressings Ltd, 16/17 Bottings Industrial Estate, VACUTEX™
DISCUSSION Botley, Hampshire SO30 2DY. Tel: 01489 780807 addresses many
or e-mail www.vacutex.net
of the challenges
The advent of clinical governance and the Dorlands Electronic Medical Dictionary (CD-ROM) of wound
establishment of the National Institute for (1998) Anderson DM, ed. 28th edn. WB Saunders,
London management.
Clinical Excellence means that healthcare Fowler E, Van Rijswijk L (1995) Using wound
debridement to help achieve the goals of care.
staff have to demonstrate research/evidence- Ostomy Wound Management 41(7A Suppl): ■ The dressing has
based treatment and the efficacy of patient 235–365 the ability to absorb
Hallet A, Hampton S (1999) Wound Dressings.
care and cost-effective interventions Wound Care Society Educational Leaflet. The exudate
(Newton, 1999). Wound Care Society, Huntington, Cambridge up to 30 times
Miller M (1996) The role of debridement in wound
Cost-effective management of wounds is a healing. Community Nurse 2(9): 52–5 its own weight.
complex matter, and should not only focus Newton H (1999) Improving wound care in clinical
governance. Nurs Stand 13(29): 51–6
on short-term costs to healing, but also the Roberts C (1998) Wound management products: the ■ VACUTEX™ is a
evidence we need and the difficulties in obtaining it.
long-term costs (Roberts, 1998). Therefore, Journal of Tissue Viability 8(2): 12–15 cost-effective
with the huge array of wound dressing Russell L, Evans A (1999) Drawtex: a unique dressing wound management
that can be tailor made to fit wounds. Br J Nurs
products available, it is essential that 8(15): 1002–6 product.
healthcare professionals base any dressing Vowden KR, Vowden P (1999) Wound debridement,
part 1: non-sharp techniques. Journal of Wound
choice decisions on what they know to be Care 8(5): 237–40

BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING, 2001, VOL 10, NO 4 271