Immediate application of vacuum assisted closure dressing over free muscle flaps in the lower extremity does not compromise flap survival and results in decreased flap thickness

Archives of Plastic Surgery
Harvey ChimChristopher John Salgado

Abstract

Free muscle flaps are a mainstay for reconstruction of distal third leg wounds and for large lower extremity wounds with exposed bone. However a major problem is the significant postoperative flap swelling, which may take months to resolve. We studied the efficacy and safety of immediate application of a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing after a free muscle flap to the lower extremity. Over a 19 months period, all consecutive free muscle flaps for lower extremity reconstruction at a Level I trauma center were evaluated prospectively for postoperative flap thickness, complications and flap survival. Immediate application of a VAC dressing was performed in 9 patients, while the flap was left exposed for monitoring in 8 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in flap survival between both cohorts. Mean flap thickness at postoperative day 5 for the VAC group was 6.4±6.4 mm, while flap thickness for the exposed flap group was 29.6±13.5 mm. Flap thickness was significantly decreased at postoperative day 5 for the VAC dressing group. Immediate application of VAC dressing following free muscle flaps to the lower extremity does not compromise flap survival or outcomes and results in decreased flap thickness and ...Continue Reading

References

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Jul 1, 1982·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·N Chang, S J Mathes
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Aug 2, 2014·Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery·Carly M FoxJames C Leong

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Citations

Nov 16, 2020·Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS·Harvey Chim
Jun 10, 2021·The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds·Valdas Macionis
Jul 10, 2021·Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India·Srikanth VasudevanSudarshan Reddy Nagireddy
Aug 10, 2021·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open·Jorge I QuinteroUNKNOWN FSFB Hand and Microsurgery Research Group

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