title: Negative pressure wound therapy for inguinal lymphatic complications in critically ill patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of regulated negative pressure vacuum-assisted wound therapy for inguinal lymphatic complications in critically ill, liver transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The great saphenous vein was harvested for hepatic vein reconstruction during liver transplantation in 599 living-donor liver transplant recipients. Fourteen of the recipients (2.3%) developed postoperative inguinal lymphatic complications and were treated with negative pressure wound therapy, and they were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average total duration of negative pressure wound therapy was 23 days (range, 11 to 42 days). Complete resolution of the lymphatic complications and wound healing were achieved in all 14 patients, 5 of whom were treated in hospital and 9 as outpatients. There was no clinically detectable infection, bleeding or recurrence after an average follow-up of 27 months (range, 7 to 36 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Negative pressure wound therapy is an effective, readily-available treatment option that is less invasive than exploration and ligation of leaking lymphatics and provides good control of drainage and rapid wound closure in critically ill patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Heungman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Yong-Pil
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Gi-Won
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ki-Myung
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Tae-Won
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Sung-Gyu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Complication; Lymphatic; Negative pressure; Therapy; Wound
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