Comparison of Negative Pressure Dressing and Conventional Dressing in the Management of Skin Grafts at the Donor Site of the Latissimus Dorsi Flap

Abstract

Introduction. Delayed and incomplete healing of the skin graft at the donor site of an LD flap is common because of seroma formation. The authors aimed to evaluate whether the application of an NPD could improve the healing process after STSG at LD donor sites. Materials and Methods. From July 2019 to September 2021, 32 patients underwent STSG with NPD at the LD donor site, and 27 patients underwent STSG with TBDs. Data were collected and analyzed using the chi-square test, t test, and Spearman correlation test. Results. The overall Spearman correlations of graft loss with seroma, hematoma, and infection were 0.56 (P <.01), 0.64 (P <.01), and 0.70 (P <.01), respectively. Compared with the TBD group, the STSG take rate was significantly higher in the NPD group (90.3% vs 84.5%, P =.046) while the seroma rate (18.8% vs 44.4%, P =.033), graft loss (9.4% vs 29.6%, P =.047), and mean length of stay (10.9 ± 1.8 vs 12.1 ± 2.4, P =.037) were significantly lower. Conclusions. NPDs for STSG at the LD donor site contribute significantly to improved graft acceptance with reduced seroma formation.