Complex lower extremity wounds treated with skin grafts and NPWT: a retrospective review.

Objective: To evaluate a single centre experience with the use of NPWT for securing split-thickness skin grafts in the management of specifically lower extremity chronic wounds, including revascularised arterial wounds, amputations, diabetic and venous leg ulcers. Method: A seven-year retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of all the patients who underwent primary split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) with immediate postoperative NPWT for at least 96 hours was carried out. the percentage graft take after removal of NPWT device and clinical follow-up date were reviewed. Results: A total of 59 skin grafts procedures had adequate follow up to be reviewed. this included 39% post-debridement/ amputation wounds in patients who presented with diabetic foot infection/ gangrene, 31% venous leg ulcers, and 31% other post-surgical wounds (arterial ulcers that had undergone revascularisation). the mean percentage graft survival after removal of v.A.c. was 94%; 63% of cases had complete graft surviv...