OBJECTIVE: Negative-pressure dressings (NPDs) have been reported to improve split-thickness skin graft survival in some settings; we assessed whether NPDs could improve skin graft results in radial forearm donor sites.
METHODS: Between October 2003 and November 2004, 45 radial forearm donor sites underwent split-thickness skin graft immobilization either with conventional bolster dressing and splint or with an NPD. Split-thickness skin graft take was recorded at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively.
RESULTS: Overall split-thickness skin graft healing was improved in the NPD group (92%) compared with the case of conventional splinting (81%) at 4 weeks (P =. 10). The rate of major graft loss was less in NPDs (10%) compared with the case of conventional management (28%) after 4 weeks (P =. 06).
CONCLUSIONS: Split-thickness skin graft survival was significantly improved by the use of NPDs. Because the use of NPDs is expensive, we consider their use only in patients with potential wound-healing problems, when there is a need to monitor the hand, or when immediate postoperative hand immobilization might impede the patient's recovery.
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