〔Abstract〕 Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with Sanhuang decoction perfusion on superficial abscess wound. Methods A total of 72 patients with body surface abscess admitted to the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery of Linyi People's Hospital from June 2013 to February 2017 were randomly divided into three groups by random number table method: simple Chinese medicine group, simple VSD group and combined group, with 24 cases in each group. Patients in the simple Chinese medicine group were only given continuous external application of Sanhuang decoction, patients in the simple VSD group were only given continuous perfusion irrigation of 0.9 % sodium chloride solution and VSD, and patients in the combined group were given continuous perfusion irrigation of Sanhuang decoction and VSD. The reduction rate of wound area, the growth of wound granulation, the degree of pain and the examination of inflammation were observed. Results After VSD removal for the first time after debridement or on the 5th, 10th and 15th days after debridement, the reduction rate of wound cavity area in the combined group was higher than those in the simple Chinese medicine group and the simple VSD group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After VSD removal for the first time after debridement or on the 5th, 10th and 15th days after debridement, the wound granulation growth score of the combined group was higher than those of the simple Chinese medicine group and the simple VSD group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). On the 10th and 15th days after debridement, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in the combined group were lower than those in the simple Chinese medicine group and the simple VSD group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The white blood cell (WBC), C-reactionprotein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of the combined group were lower than those of the simple Chinese medicine group and the simple VSD group on the 5th, 10th and 15th days after dedebrination, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The effect of Sanhuang decoction combined with VSD in promoting wound healing is better than that of simple application of Sanhuang decoction or simple VSD, which provides a simple and feasible treatment method for body surface abscess.