4. Effectiveness of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy as a Pretreatment for Split Thickness Skin Grafts
Moiz Sadiq1, Fahad Hanif Khan 2, Syed Sheeraz ur Rahman3 and Obaid-ur-Rahman2
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing as a pretreatment of spilt thickness skin grafting versus routine normal saline dressings.
Study Design: Randomized control study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from June-December, 2017.
Materials and Methods: All patient fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were asked for a consent and enrolled in the study. Patient of either sex, age, from 20 – 50 years with traumatic and post-surgical acute wounds (within a week) on upper or lower limbs only, requiring split thickness skin grafting were included in the study. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used for significant co-relations with 95% confidence interval.
Results: A total of 92 patients with traumatic and post-surgical acute wound requiring spilt thickness skin grafting were included in this study. Forty six in group A were treated by vacuum assisted closure (VAS) and 46 were treated with normal saline Effectiveness was significantly higher in group A than group B (80.4% vs. 56.5%; p=0.014).
Conclusion: Split-thickness skin grafting provides a simple one-stage reconstructive option for skin and soft tissue defects. The use of VAC therapy is an effective and a safe adjunct to conventional treatment modalities for the management of wound.
Key Words: Vacuum assisted closure, skin grafting, direct closure, wound coverage
Citation of articles: Sadiq M, Khan FH, Rahman SS, Rahman O. Effectiveness of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy as a Pretreatment for Split Thickness Skin Grafts. Med Forum 2018;29(9):14-17.