The world's most researched NPWT solution

3M™ V.A.C.^® Therapy, the first commercially available negative pressure wound therapy, has helped heal 10 million wounds worldwide.¹ Supported by comparative clinical evidence, it has been shown to reduce readmission risk and minimise reoperation,² resulting in shorter hospital stays and fewer complications.^2,3 Choose V.A.C.^® Therapy to help improve patient care and contribute to your revenue goals.

View the evidenceopens in a new tab

3M™ V.A.C.® Ulta Therapy Unit with 3M™ V.A.C.® Granufoam Silver™ Dressing in ICU, Product Application, People Image, rgb, tif

Why V.A.C.® Therapy Benefits Videos Therapy Units Dressings Resources Explore More Contact us

Why V.A.C® Therapy System?

Wound healing is a process. Proper wound management is important to promoting tissue granulation and overall healing. To achieve successful wound healing from start  to finish, you need a proven solution.   

The 3M™ V.A.C.^® Therapy System was introduced in 1995 as the first commercial NPWT system. It has remained at the forefront of negative pressure wound technology, empowering caregivers and benefiting patients worldwide. It is indicated for patients with chronic, acute, traumatic, sub-acute and dehisced wounds, partial-thickness burns, ulcers  (such as diabetic, pressure or venous insufficiency), flaps and grafts and closed surgical incisions.   

Clinical evidence overwhelmingly supports the efficacy of the V.A.C.^® Therapy System. It is designed and clinically demonstrated to create an environment that promotes wound healing. By preparing the wound bed for closure, reducing edema, promoting granulation tissue formation, promoting perfusion and removing exudate and infectious material, this therapy contributes to optimal clinical outcomes.

3M™ ActiV.A.C.™ Therapy System, 3M™ ActiV.A.C.™ Therapy Unit, product image, rgb, png, PRA-PM-US-03249, PRA-PM-US-03250, PRA-PM-US-03251, PRA-PM-ALL-00553, PRA-PM-ALL-00544, PRA-PM-ALL-00543, PRA-PM-ALL-00545

Proven results of V.A.C.^® Therapy

There are over 2,000 peer-reviewed studies⁴ which have evaluated the effectiveness of V.A.C.^® Therapy in a variety of settings and indicated wound types. Comparative studies have shown that V.A.C.® Therapy has been associated with:

Fewer hospitalisations^2,5
Fewer complications^5,6
Fewer amputations^7,8
Fewer dressing changes^9,10
Faster time to wound healing¹¹
Shorter hospitalisation^7,8
Reduced treatment times^12,13

By reducing the factors that contribute to direct and indirect wound care costs, V.A.C.^® Therapy has emerged as a cost-effective option for wound management.

3M™ ActiV.A.C.™ Therapy.

V.A.C.^® Therapy is a world leader in NPWT and the first commercially available option. It promotes an environment for wound healing by protecting the wound from external contamination, providing a moist wound environment, and promoting the formation of granulation tissue.¹⁴

Draws wound edges together
The application of uniform negative pressure induces a physical response that can be seen immediately as the wound edges are drawn together, allowing for optimal contact between the wound bed and the dressing.¹⁵

Removes exudate and infectious material
V.A.C.^® Therapy facilitates the removal of wound exudate, which may contain particles that inhibit wound healing.¹⁴

Reduces edema and promotes perfusion
The removal of wound fluids assists in the reduction of edema, which facilitates  the flow of blood into the wound bed, providing the oxygen and nutrients that are needed for wound healing.¹⁴

Promotes granulation tissue formation
Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that dressing contact with tissues creates  micro-deformation that can lead to cell stretch.¹⁵ Cell stretch under negative pressure stimulates cellular activity that results in granulation tissue formation.¹⁶

Over subsequent dressing changes, the granulation tissue fills the wound bed, further reducing the volume and preparing it for final closure.

Hip pressure wound with 3M™ V.A.C.® Simplace™ Dressing and 3M™ V.A.C.® Drape, rgb, tif

V.A.C.® Therapy: How-to videos

Explore our video series covering all aspects of the V.A.C.^® Therapy, including an overview about V.A.C.^® Therapy, tips for applying V.A.C.^® Dressings using the "mushroom" technique on small wounds, safety information and more.