Duration Of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Research Articles

Multidisciplinary Strategies With Real-Time Fluorescence Images and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy to Manage Organ/Space Surgical Site Infection in Transplanted Kidneys

Surgical site infection (SSI) after kidney transplantation can severely compromise graft function and prolong hospital stay. Organ/space SSI (osSSI) is a severe type of SSI associated with a significantly higher mortality rate. This study aims to provide new strategies of managing (osSSI) after kidney transplant and other high-risk wound infections. This is a single-center, retrospective study that analyzed the treatment outcomes of 4 patients who developed osSSI after kidney transplant at Shuang-Ho Hospital. The management strategy included real-time fluorescence imaging with MolecuLight, negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with Si-Mesh, and incisional NPWT (iNPWT). The average length of hospital stay was 18 days (range, 12-23 days). During hospitalization, all patients obtained high-quality debridement under real-time fluorescence image confirmation. The average duration of NPWT was 11.8 days (range, 7-17 days) and iNPWT was 7 days. All transplanted kidneys were preserved with normal function after 6 months of follow-up. Our strategies with real-time fluorescence imaging provide a novel and effective method that can be used in adjunct with the standard of care for managing osSSI after kidney transplantation. More studies are warranted to validate the efficacy of our approach.

Negative pressure wound therapy for the management of surgical site infections with zoonotic, drug‐resistant pathogens on the upper body of the horse

SummaryThis case series reviews the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for surgical site infections (SSI) on the upper body of six horses at an academic referral institution between 2016 and 2020. The SSIs consisted of three ventral midline celiotomy incisions post‐abdominal exploratory, one paralumbar flank incision for removal of an ovarian abscess, an incision for resection of a septic jugular vein, and a large defect resulting from the resection of chronically abscessed skin and subcutaneous tissue on the shoulder and pectoral region. All SSIs contained zoonotic, polymicrobial, multi‐drug resistant pathogens (methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus or extended spectrum beta‐lactamase Klebsiella or Enterobacteriaceae) that were managed without systemic, regional, or topical antimicrobials. All horses were discharged from the hospital, and long‐term follow‐up revealed satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes according to owner questionnaires. Duration of NPWT ranged from 4 to 15 days in five horses, but one horse required NPWT for 70 days due to the large nature of the defect. The NPWT system was easy to use, well‐tolerated by patients, and produced acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes for the clients. By containing wound exudate and reducing daily wound care, it improved hospital biosecurity and reduced exposure to hospital personnel.

Efficacy of Prophylactic Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy with Delayed Primary Closure for Contaminated Abdominal Wounds.

Prophylactic negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to prevent surgical site infection (SSI) may be effective for severely contaminated wounds. We investigated the safety and efficacy of NPWT with delayed primary closure (DPC) for preventing SSI. For patients with contaminated and dirty/infected surgical wounds after an emergency laparotomy, the abdominal fascia was closed with antibacterial absorbent threads and the skin was left open. Negative pressure (-80 mmHg) was applied through the polyurethane foam, which was replaced on postoperative days 3 and 7. DPC was performed when sufficient granulation was observed. The duration and adverse events of NPWT, the development of SSI, and the postoperative hospital stay were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the cases of patients with contaminated (n = 15) and dirty/infected wounds (n = 7). The median duration of NPWT was 7 days (range 5-11 days). NPWT was discontinued in one (4.5%) patient due to wound traction pain. SSI developed in seven patients (31.8%), with incisional SSI in one (4.5%) and organ/space SSI in six (27.3%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 17 days (range 7-91 days). There was no significant relationship between postoperative hospital stay and wound classification (P=0.17) or type of SSI (P=0.07). Prophylactic NPWT with DPC was feasible and may be particularly suitable for severely contaminated wounds, with a low incidence of incisional SSI.

Use of negative pressure wound therapy in patients with fracture-related infection more than doubles the risk of recurrence

PurposeFracture-related infection (FRI) is one of the most serious complications in orthopedic trauma surgery. Despite its widespread use, the role of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) remains controversial in the management pathway of FRI. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the application of NPWT and its duration and recurrence of infection in operatively treated FRI patients. Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study based on the FRI database of three level 1 Trauma Centres. Included patients had to be at least 16 years of age and surgically treated for FRI between January 1st 2015 and September 1st 2020. Patients were subdivided in either the NPWT group, when NPWT was applied as part of the FRI treatment, or in the control group, when no NPWT had been applied. To limit confounding, patients were excluded if they (also) underwent NPWT prior to the diagnosis of FRI. The relation between the duration of NPWT during FRI treatment and the recurrence rate of infection was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. ResultsA total of 263 patients were included, 99 in the NPWT group and 164 in the control group. The median duration of NPWT was 18.0 (IQR 15.8) days. In the NPWT group, 28 patients (28.3%) developed a recurrent FRI. In the control group, 19 patients (11.6%) had a recurrent FRI (p = 0.001, 95% CI [0.174 – 0.635]). In the NPWT group there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the recurrence and non-recurrence group. The duration of NPWT was associated with a higher risk of recurrence of infection (p = 0.013, OR 1.036, 95% CI [1.008 – 1.066]). ConclusionDelayed wound closure with the application of NPWT increased the risk of recurrence of infection in patients with soft tissue defects after FRI treatment. Therefore, it is advised to consider NPWT only as a short-term (e.g. few days) necessity to bridge the period until definitive wound closure can be established.

Results of negative pressure wound therapy for deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after cardiac surgery. Patients and methods: Sixty-eight patients (35 males, 33 females; mean age: 60.1±10.1 years; range, 18 to 80 years) who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery or valvular heart surgery between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent NPWT for DSWI after cardiac surgery were included in the study. Baseline and postoperative characteristics of the patients were presented. Previously claimed risk factors for mortality were investigated. Results: The time interval between cardiac surgery and diagnosis of DSWI was 35.8±30.2 days. The mean duration of NPWT was 21.1±11.8 days. In-hospital mortality was 14.7%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated microorganism (n=26, 38.2%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (n=10, 14.7%). The only factor associated with higher mortality was the female sex in our DSWI patients. Conclusion: Negative pressure therapy is a safe and reliable treatment option in patients with DSWI with or without sternal dehiscence.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Postoperative Abdominal Wound Dehiscence

Background: Abdominal wound dehiscence(AWD) is one of the dreadful complications of abdominal surgery. Conventionally it is treated with regular dressing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is newest concept for management of AWD. Objective: To find out the effectiveness of NPWT in management of AWD. Material & methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July2018 to June2020. Total 30 patients were fulfilled the enrollment criteria. Result: Age range of our patient was 15-60 and mean (SD) was 36.5 (± 12.204) years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. AWD commonly (60.66%) occurred after emergency procedure. The mean (SD) wound size waschanged from 60.21(±31.418) cm3 to 12.19(±7.453) cm3 at the end of treatment that was statistically significant. The average duration of NPWT was 8.26 days. Conclusion: The wound healing process is aided by NPWT, which makes the wound bed more favorable to early covering and reduces the mental stress and financial burden of the patient.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Postoperative Abdominal Wound Dehiscence

Background: Abdominal wound dehiscence(AWD) is one of the dreadful complications of abdominal surgery. Conventionally it is treated with regular dressing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is newest concept for management of AWD. Objective: To find out the effectiveness of NPWT in management of AWD. Material & methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July2018 to June2020. Total 30 patients were fulfilled the enrollment criteria. Result: Age range of our patient was 15-60 and mean (SD) was 36.5 (± 12.204) years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. AWD commonly (60.66%) occurred after emergency procedure. The mean (SD) wound size waschanged from 60.21(±31.418) cm3 to 12.19(±7.453) cm3 at the end of treatment that was statistically significant. The average duration of NPWT was 8.26 days. Conclusion: The wound healing process is aided by NPWT, which makes the wound bed more favorable to early covering and reduces the mental stress and financial burden of the patient.

121 A Novel Technique for Infected Metalwork Salvage: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Copious Saline Irrigation and Direct Wound Closure Over Dressing

Abstract Aim Metalwork infection is a challenging complication, often requiring surgical removal. The senior author devised a novel technique consisting of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with high-flow rate saline irrigation and direct skin closure over the standard NPWT dressing. This study aims to evaluate the utility of this modified technique in resolving metalwork infection to allow fracture union without metalwork removal. Method This is a retrospective chart review of 24 patients (3 upper and 21 lower limb cases) with infected orthopaedic metalwork from a single centre over a seven-year period, who were all managed with this modified technique as an adjunct to standard antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement. Demographic data, surgical data and infectious disease data were collected. Patients were followed up for signs of infection recurrence. Results 23 of 24 (96%) patient had successful metalwork retention with infection resolution to achieve fracture union. No metalwork was removed due to infection. Original metalwork was maintained in 16 of 24 (67%) patients. The average duration of NPWT was 19 days and the average number of visits to the theatre for NPWT change or removal was 2.5 (mode: 2). Conclusions This series demonstrates that the modified NPWT technique is an effective adjunct therapy for infected metalwork salvage. This novel technique is safe and reliable with timely resolution of infection to allow fracture union.

Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Application in Fingertip Replantations and a Systematic Review

Fingertip replantation is technically challenging. Venous congestion is one of the most common causes of replantation failure. Therefore, various venous drainage procedures and salvage techniques have been used in venous congestion. Negative-pressure wound therapy has proven beneficial in limb injuries, yet limited studies of fingertip replantation exist. This study aims to analyze risk factors in fingertip replantation and to evaluate the feasibility and clinical benefits of negative-pressure wound therapy compared with other salvage techniques. From January of 2015 to December of 2019, 27 patients (27 digits) who experienced fingertip amputation over Tamai zone I or II underwent replantation. Salvage negative-pressure wound therapy was applied for venous congestion postoperatively. Replantation data were collected for further analysis. The overall survival rate of digit replantation with salvage negative-pressure wound therapy was 92.6 percent (25 of 27). The blood transfusion rate was 11.1 percent (three of 27). The average hospitalization time was 8.04 ± 1.43 days and the median duration of negative-pressure wound therapy was 6 days (range, 4 to 8 days; interquartile range, 2 days). There is no significant difference between the survival and failure groups for all risk factors evaluated. Negative-pressure wound therapy is a simple and effective salvage option to relieve venous congestion in fingertip replantation with a satisfactory survival rate, low blood transfusion rate, and short inpatient stay. Therapeutic, IV.

Bacterial bioburden of wounds: influence of debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

To clarify the role of microbiological swabs in surgical decision-making, we investigated the effect of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and serial surgical debridement on bacterial bioburden in hard-to-heal wounds and ultimately correlated them with the success of surgical closure. All patients were treated with surgical debridement, jet lavage and NPWT before their wounds were finally closed. The treatment effect was assessed by correlating microbiological swabs obtained immediately after intervention with those obtained after removal of the dressings during the following surgical procedures. The result of the last microbiological swab taken before definitive surgical closure was correlated with the requirement for revision surgery. We included the results of 704 microbiological swabs from 97 patients in 110 wound localisations in this monocentric, retrospective study. NPWT did not improve bacterial bioburden in 77% of cases and the duration of NPWT did not affect the result. Furthermore, no significant effect of NPWT could be found for either anaerobic (p=0.96) or aerobic bacteria (p=0.43). In contrast, surgical debridement decreased bacterial load in approximately 60% of cases. If sterile wound swabs could be obtained at all, it was during the first four surgical debridements in 60% of patients; after that only 10% became sterile. Sterile microbiological wound swabs before surgical closure were associated with lower rates of revision surgery, while low or medium bacterial loads did not increase revision rates.

Successful surgical closure of infected abdominal wounds following preconditioning with negative pressure wound therapy

PurposeTraditionally, previous wound infection was considered a contraindication to secondary skin closure; however, several case reports describe successful secondary wound closure of wounds “preconditioned” with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Although this has been increasingly applied in daily practice, a systematic analysis of its feasibility has not been published thus far. The aim of this study was to evaluate secondary skin closure in previously infected abdominal wounds following treatment with NPWT.MethodsSingle-center retrospective analysis of patients with infected abdominal wounds treated with NPWT followed by either secondary skin closure referenced to a group receiving open wound therapy. Endpoints were wound closure rate, wound complications (such as recurrent infection or hernia), and perioperative data (such as duration of NPWT or hospitalization parameters).ResultsOne hundred ninety-eight patients during 2013–2016 received a secondary skin closure after NPWT and were analyzed and referenced to 67 patients in the same period with open wound treatment after NPWT. No significant difference in BMI, chronic immunosuppressive medication, or tobacco use was found between both groups. The mean duration of hospital stay was 30 days with a comparable duration in both patient groups (29 versus 33 days, p = 0.35). Interestingly, only 7.7% of patients after secondary skin closure developed recurrent surgical site infection and in over 80% of patients were discharged with closed wounds requiring only minimal outpatient wound care.ConclusionSurgical skin closure following NPWT of infected abdominal wounds is a good and safe alternative to open wound treatment. It prevents lengthy outpatient wound therapy and is expected to result in a higher quality of life for patients and reduce health care costs.

Effects of negative pressure wound therapy on an axial congested rabbit skin flap model without any bare surface

One of the most important problems encountered in reconstructive surgery is partial or total flap loss, and venous congestion is the most common reason. It should be solved as early as possible. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on an ideal congested rabbit skin flap model without any open wound. The current study included 28 female, adult, New Zealand albino rabbits. Animals were divided into four groups according to the duration of NPWT to be applied. An axial pattern ideal congested skin flap was designed on the posterior surface of the ear. After surgical intervention on the right ears, we applied NPWT treatment for 2, 4, 6 and 8 days. The left ears were followed without any treatment. Samples were taken for edema, congestion and neo-angiogenesis examination. There was no significant difference between the NPWT applied group and control group in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th days for edema and neo-angiogenesis and no differences in the 2nd, 6th, and 8th days for congestion. NPWT group had a higher flap survival rate than the control group but without a significant difference. This study used an ideal congested rabbit skin flap model imitating venous congestion. Our findings illustrate that NPWT treatment does not have a significant effect on the congested skin flap model we utilized where a closed system was created maintaining a skin barrier without a bare surface of the flap. Level of Evidence: Level I, experimental study

Management of thoracic empyema with broncho-pulmonary fistula in combination with negative-pressure wound therapy.

Intrathoracic negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been introduced as a novel therapeutic device for the management of empyema. NPWT is expected to reduce the empyema cavity more rapidly than standard treatments; however, no objective analysis of the function of NPWT has yet been conducted. The study objective was to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT in the management of thoracic empyema. Ten patients with stage II or III thoracic empyema treated with NPWT were retrospectively analyzed. The volume of the empyema cavity was measured, and the volume change after the administration of NPWT was calculated. A comparison with the institutional historical controls was also performed. The patients had initially undergone fenestration of the chest wall for empyema, and eight had bronchopleural fistula and required procedures to close the fistula. The mean duration of NPWT was 71.1days (4-190days). The mean volume of the empyema cavity decreased from 230.2ml (42.8-788.4ml) to 78.5ml (5.2-185.3ml) by applying NPWT (P = 0.02), and the mean % decrease was 58.7% (0-87.9%). Ultimately, the empyema cavity was able to be cleaned in nine, including seven who were cured by subsequent thoracoplasty and two who were cured without thoracoplasty. The current study group had a tendency toward an early cure with less chest wall destruction, a less hospital stay after open window thoracotomy compared to historical control. NPWT enables the effective volume reduction and cleaning of the empyema cavity and achieves an early cure and reduced destruction of the chest wall.

The negative pressure wound therapy may salvage the infected mesh following open incisional hernia repair

Backgrounds: Incisional hernias may occur in 10–25% of patients undergoing laparotomy. In cases of a surgical site infection (SSI) after incisional hernia repair (IHR) secondary operative intervention with mesh removal are often needed. There is only minimal data available in the literature regarding the treatment of a wound infection with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Conducting the study at hand, we aimed to provide more evidence on this topic. MethodsFrom April to June 2020 a monocentric retrospective study has been performed. Patients who underwent NPWT due to a SSI with mesh involvement following open IHR from 2007 to 2020 were included. The primary endpoint was the mesh removal rate in the end of NPWT. Main secondary endpoints were the duration of NPWT and the amount of NPWT procedures. ResultsThe data of 30 patients were extracted. The average age was 65.9 years (9.9). A total of 13 individuals were male and 17 females. The BMI was on average 31.1 kg/m2 (4.9). All patients received a polypropylene mesh. The average duration of NPWT was 31.3 days (22.1). The first wound revision with initiation of a NPWT was conducted on average 31.1 days (34.0) after IHR. The average amount of NPWT procedures was 8.3 (7.2). In 5 of 30 patients (16.6%) the mesh was removed (Open sublay group n = 4 (36.34%) vs. open onlay group n = 1 (5.26%), p = 0.047). ConclusionIn cases of SSI following IHR the NPWT may facilitate mesh selvage. Further trials with a larger sample size are mandatory to confirm our hypothesis.

Long-term negative pressure wound therapy decreases a risk of diabetic foot amputation assessed in the university of Texas wound classification

Abstract Background The University of Texas Wound Classification is a tool assesing risk of amputation of patients with Diabetic Foot Ulceration (DFU). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a nonivasive system which was shown to be effective in healing chronic wounds. The aim of the study was to assess utility of long-term NPWT in healing diabetic foot wounds among Polish patients with diabetes. Material & Methods In the study, we retrospectively analysed data of patients of DFU ambulatory using NPWT. Collected data included sex, age, type of DFU, duration of NPWT, history of previous minor amputation and characteristic of the healed wound in The University of Texas Wound Classification before and after NPWT. Results Total number of participants counted 21 (male = 16, 76%). The wound significantly improved in 17 (81%) patients. Group with successful treatment reached median 92% decrease of risk of amputation (-8.5 to -92%; p Conclusions NPWT significantly decraeses risk of amputation in Texas Score. NPWT may not help in healing wounds simultaneously infected and ischeamic. Presence of ischemic wound decreases chance for successful outcome.

Is negative-pressure wound therapy beneficial in modern-day breast surgery?

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used to treat many different types of wounds, but there is still a lack of large studies describing its effectiveness in breast surgery. Enhanced recovery, reduction of complications, and good scar quality might be improved by the application of NPWT. Existing data show that vacuumassisted closure (VAC) application after expander-based breast reconstruction may be beneficial because of decreasing overall complications in comparison with standard wound treatment. There are few cases in which the use of negative pressure resulted in healing of complicated breast wounds after implant insertion – most breasts achieved healing, wherein duration of NPWT ranged from seven to 21 days. The use of NPWT leads to a decrease of seroma formation (from 70% to 15%), the mean percutaneous aspirated volume (from 193 ml to 26 ml) and the numbers of percutaneous aspirations (from three to one) in latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. Furthermore, a prospective, within-patient, randomised study with 200 participants showed that treating closed incisional wounds after reduction mammoplasty with a VAC system resulted in a decrease of overall complications and protected against wound dehiscence. In the literature, there are cases showing that NPWT may be useful for the successful treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds, included non-puerperal mastitis and surgical sites affected by radiation therapy due to breast cancer. There is still a need for evidence confirming the effectiveness of NPWT in breast surgery because of the deficiency of large prospective studies that compare NPWT with standard treatment.

Efficacy of Negative Pressure Therapy (NPWT) in the Management of Wounds of Different Etiologies

The objective was to assess the role of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of wounds of various etiologies, infected or not, acute or chronic. The study was conducted in a group of 37 patients (24 men and 13 women) aged 26 to 86 years with acute or chronic wounds, posttraumatic or due to chronic diseases located on the lower limbs or following oncological abdominal surgery. In all cases a Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) system was continuously applied using a subatmospheric pressure ranging from 90 to 120 mmHg. Beside sex, age and etiology of soft tissue defect the following parameters were studied: surgical treatment performed prior to NPWT application, frequency of dressing changes, duration of NPWT, level of subatmospheric pressure used in each case, number of hospital days, complications arising from NPWT use. The outcome was favorable in all cases without such complications as infection or bleeding, a perilesional erythema (contact dermatitis caused by the used adhesive tape) being noted in only 13.51% of cases. The average duration of NPWT was 8.1 days. The frequency of dressing changes was in most cases of 3 days (89.18%) with a group mean of 3.05 days, and the average applied negative pressure was -110.83 mmHg, range -90mmHg to -120 mm Hg. No complications requiring the interruption of NPWT use were recorded. NPWT, by stimulating wound constriction and granulation tissue formation is an option in the management of acute or chronic wounds of various etiologies, whether infected or not, resulting in a decrease in the number of surgeries and their complexity, length of hospital stay and, last but not least, reduced patient suffering.

Suture Technique to Prevent Air Leakage during Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Fournier Gangrene.

Background:The use of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for Fournier gangrene management is well documented; however, it is difficult to fixate GranuFoam dressings and maintain an airtight seal over the perineum area. We developed a simple method to facilitate GranuFoam fixation and improve airtight sealing.Methods:The Fournier’s gangrene severity index (FGSI) score less than 9 was collected in from January 2015 to October 2016. All 13 patients underwent fasciotomy, and NPWT was applied directly on fasciotomy wounds after the debridement of infected tissue. Partial wound closure was performed, and a portion of GranuFoam was inserted to facilitate fixation. The seal check was converted to a 0–10 scale score that was recorded every 4 hours during NPWT. Patient profiles including medical history, FGSI, method of wound closure, and length of stay were collected in this study.Results:The median age of the patients was 62 (38–76) years. The mean FGSI score was 4.3 ± 3.1. The average duration of NPWT was 17.5 ± 11.5 days, and the average seal check score was 0.8 ± 0.5. No seal check alarms were noted during the study. Successful wound closure was achieved in all patients without using additional reconstruction methods such as skin grafting or muscle flap coverage.Conclusions:The present results suggest that partial wound-edge closure and in situ GranuFoam fixation improve the NPWT leaks in Fournier gangrene wounds. Furthermore, this method is simple to learn and can be useful in applying NPWT to anatomically difficult areas.

Acute pancreatitis complicated by rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Acute pancreatitis complicated by rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Negative pressure wound therapy augmented full-thickness free skin grafting in the cat: outcome in 10 grafts transferred to six cats.

The aim of this clinical evaluation was to describe the technique and outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) augmented skin grafting in cats. Cats with soft tissue and skin defects (n = 6) underwent open wound management. Wounds were initially covered using a NPWT system that was changed to polyurethane foam dressing once infection was controlled and granulation started. Final closure was achieved after establishment of a healthy, fully granulated wound bed by grafting of free full-thickness skin from the lateral abdominal wall. The freshly grafted skin was then treated with an NPWT dressing at a pressure of -125 mmHg for 3 days, with dressing changes performed daily. Percentage graft take, complications, wound bioburden and cosmetic outcome were recorded. The mean duration of open wound management was 21.4 days (range 3.0-45.0 days), with a mean duration of NPWT of 8.0 days (range 3.0-14.0 days). Five cats received a single graft, while one cat had five grafts transferred to the right hindlimb. In 7/10 grafts, graft take was 100%, in two grafts take was 95% and in one graft take was 80% (mean take rate 97%). Therapy was well tolerated in all patients. The grafted site displayed normal hair regrowth in four cats, sparse hair regrowth in one and no hair growth at all in one patient. Skin sensation was normal in all grafted patients. Skin graft augmentation using NPWT in cats is a feasible option that allows graft fixation, even in anatomically demanding areas. Graft take rate reported here is slightly higher than documented in previous reports.