PR16 A PROSPECTIVE BLINDED RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF COMMERCIAL VACUUM DRESSINGS VERSUS NON‐MECHANICAL TOPICAL NEGATIVE PRESSURE DRESSING FOR DAY SURGERY LOWER LEG SPLIT THICKNESS SKIN GRAFTS

Abstract

Purpose: To show that ambulatory non‐mechanical negative pressure dressing results in equivalent graft take and survival compared with commercially available mechanical vacuum dressings.Methodology: Twenty‐four patients, both males and female, between 18 and 95 years of age in the Australian population requiring skin grafting of the lower limb from July 2008 were randomized consecutively into commercial vacuum assisted ambulatory dressing group, KCI Freedom VAC, [VAC] and non‐mechanical topical negative pressure dressing group using 14 gauge drain [Belovac]. Patients were discharged on the same day of surgery and reviewed at 5 or 6 days post‐operatively. Both groups were treated equally in all other facets of care. The dressings remained intact until outpatient review. A photo of the graft was taken upon removal of the dressing. Graft take/survival was measured from these photographs by an experienced plastic surgeon blinded to treatment group.Results: Graft take was found to be equivalent in both groups. All twelve patients in the VAC group were judged to have >95% graft take at five/six days post‐op. In the Belovac group all twelve were judged to have >95% graft take at 5/6 days. The cost for VAC group was $AUD413.50/478.50 [5/6 days] compared to $AUD55.93 for the Belovac dressing group.Conclusion: We conclude that non‐mechanical topical negative pressure dressings are equally effective as commercially available VAC dressings in for the treatment of lower limb skin grafts. We recommend that non‐mechanical topical negative pressure dressing is an acceptable, cheap and safe alternative to commercially available dressings for day surgery patient.