Negative pressure wound therapy for prolonged surgical wound healing after brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula creation in a patient with end-stage liver failure

Abstract

A 54-year-old male patient diagnosed with hepatorenal syndrome caused by decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis was referred for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation after initiation of hemodialysis. A brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula (BBAVF) was created because neither forearm had suitable vasculature. Large-volume serous effusion from the incision persisted postoperatively, and we started negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for wound protection. The effusion volume decreased gradually; however, up to 80 ml of discharge continued daily. Re-operation was performed 35 days after the initial operation, followed by continued NPWT. The wound was almost healed 85 days after the primary surgery. We present a case of severe surgical wound complication after AVF creation in a patient with hemostatic and coagulation disorders and malnutrition caused by end-stage hepatic failure. We confirmed the usefulness of NPWT for excessive surgical wound effusion and the adequacy of BBAVF for vascular access.