Securing split-thickness skin grafts using negative-pressure wound therapy without suture fixation

Journal of Wound Care
Yusuke InatomiSei Yoshida

Abstract

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is generally applied as a bolster for split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) after the graft has been secured with sutures or skin staples. In this study, NPWT was applied to secure STSGs without any sutures or staples. Surgical outcomes of using NPWT without sutures was compared with a control group. Patients with STSGs were divided into two groups: a 'no suture' group using only NPWT, and a control group using conventional fixings. In the no suture group, the grafts were covered with meshed wound dressing and ointment. The NPWT foam was placed over the STSG and negative pressure applied. In the control group, grafts were fixed in place using tie-over bolster, securing with fibrin glue, or NPWT after sutures. A total of 30 patients with 35 graft sites participated in the study. The mean rate of graft take in the no suture group was 95.1%, compared with 93.3% in the control group, with no significant difference between them. No graft shearing occurred in the no suture group. Although the difference did not reach statistical significance, mean surgical time in the no suture group (31.5 minutes) tended to be shorter than that in the control group (55.7 minutes). By eliminating sutures, the opera...Continue Reading

References

May 26, 1998·Annals of Plastic Surgery·J H BlackburnW P Graham
Jul 31, 2002·Archives of Surgery·Lynette A SchererJohn T Owings
Oct 7, 2004·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·Elias MoisidisAnand K Deva
May 8, 2013·International Wound Journal·Donald A HudsonElizabeth M Huddleston

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Citations

Apr 28, 2021·Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association·Bonnie C CarneyTaryn E Travis
Jul 9, 2021·International Wound Journal·Gabrielle NotorgiacomoStacey C Schutte

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