Treatment chronic wounds with a combination of adjacent flaps and free skin graft covered by vacuum sealing drainage

Objective To explore the clinical value of combination of adjacent flap and free skin covered by vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of chronic wounds. Methods 40 cases with chronic wounds were repaired by combination of adjacent flap and free skin covered by VSD.There were 33 males and 7 females, with an average age of 62.5 years (ranged from 32 to 90 years), and 17 cases with diabetic foot and 23 cases with pressure sore.The size of wound varied from 5cm×8cm-15cm×20cm.Meantime, there were 18 cases with chronic osteomyelitis, and 25 cases with paraplegia.After wound bed grew freshly, wounds were repaired by combination of adjacent flap and free skin covered by VSD.The survival rate and the heal quality of the adjacent flap and the skin graft area were followed up postoperatively. Results 40 patients with chronic wounds were effectively repaired by combination of adjacent flap and free skin covered by VSD.The patients were followed up for an average of 12.8 months (6-24months), the survival rate and the heal quality of the adjacent flap and the skin graft area were well and with satisfactory outline. Conclusion Patients with chronic wounds can be effectively treated with a combination of adjacent flap and free skin covered by VSD, which can effectively repaired of wound and significantly shortened the treatment, and maximized enhancement of the quality of life. Key words: Surgical flaps; Skin transplantation; Drainage; Negative-pressure wound therapy