eTable 3. Trial characteristics: treatment and endpoints.
| RCT | Intervention | Comparator treatment | Patient-related endpoints (as defined by authors) |
| Commercially available systems | |||
| Blume 2008 (8) | Vacuum-assisted closure system, level of vacuum not stated | Saline-soaked gauze dressing | Primary: frequency of complete wound closure (100% reepithelialization) |
| Secondary: reduction in wound surface area, time to wound closure, decrease in adverse events, e.g. secondary amputations | |||
| Chio 2010 (9) | Vacuum-assisted closure system, continuous 125 mmHg vacuum; arm not immobilized | Saline-soaked gauze dressing; lower arm immobilized using splint | Surface area of unhealed part as proportion of total surface area of wound (not described as primary endpoint in article) |
| Keskin 2008 (10) | Vacuum-assisted closure system, intermittent 125 mmHg vacuum | Saline-soaked gauze dressing | Fear during treatment (not described as primary endpoint in article) |
| Stannard 2009 (11) | Vacuum-assisted closure system in addition to saline-soaked gauze dressing, size of vacuum not stated | Saline-soaked gauze dressing | Primary: frequency of deep wound infection, osteomyelitis, or wound dehiscence; no. of patients requiring 3 or more wound debridements. Thus there were several primary endpoints. |
| Secondary: time elapsing until wound suitably prepared for surgical closure | |||
| Systems not commercially available | |||
| Bee 2008 (12)* | Polyethylene film to cover the intestine, sponges on top of polyethylene film, suction tube connected to vacuum pump, wound site covered with an airtight adhesive film, continuous vacuum of 150 mmHg | Polyglactin mesh to cover opening in abdomen | Primary: frequency of delayed fascial closure: fistula formation, mortality, and cost |
| Mody 2008 (13) | Synthetic sponge dressing, suction tube connected to vacuum pump, wound site covered with an airtight adhesive film, intermittent vacuum of 125 mmHg | Saline-soaked gauze dressing | Primary: no. of days to complete secondary wound closure or delayed primary closure |
| Perez 2010 (14) | Hand-washing sponge covering wound, suction tube connected to vacuum pump, wound site covered with an airtight adhesive film, continuous vacuum of 100 mmHg | Saline-soaked gauze dressing | Primary: time to complete wound closure |
| Saaiq 2010 (15) | Synthetic sponge dressing, suction tube connected to vacuum pump, wound site covered with an airtight adhesive film, intermittent vacuum of 50 to 120 mmHg | Saline-soaked gauze dressing | Primary: acceptance of skin transplant |
| Secondary: time to wound healing, need for repeat skin transplant, duration of hospitalization | |||
| Sepúlveda 2009 (16) | Polyurethane foam covering wound, suction tube connected to vacuum pump, wound site covered with an airtight adhesive film, continuous vacuum of 100 mmHg | Saline-soaked gauze dressing, sometimes with the addition of hydrocolloid or alginate | Primary: no. of days to 90% wound granulation |
*Bee 2008: a few patients were treated using a vacuum-assisted closure system