title: Antimicrobial-impregnated dressing combined with negative-pressure wound therapy increases split-thickness skin graft engraftment: a simple effective technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immobilization and adequate surface contact to wounds are critical for skin graft take. Techniques such as the tie-over dressing, cotton bolster, and vacuum-assisted closure are used to address this, but each has its limitations. This study is designed to assess the effect of antimicrobial-impregnated dressing (AMD) combined with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on skin graft survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study
  
  
  METHODS
  : Patients with chronic or contaminated wounds treated with split-thickness skin graft. A broad spectrum of wounds was included, from causes such as trauma, burns, chronic diabetic ulcers, and infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antimicrobial-impregnated dressing, which contains 0.2% polyhexamethylene biguanide, with NPWT MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:: Success of skin graft
  
  
  RESULTS
  : In the AMD group, all skin grafts achieved 100% take without secondary intervention. No infection or graft failure was observed in any patients, and no complications, such as hematoma or seroma formation, were noted, although in the control group partial loss of skin grafts was noted in 3 patients. Infection and inadequate immobilization were thought to be the main reasons. There were no hematoma or seroma formations in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of an AMD dressing with NPWT after split-thickness skin grafting can be an effective method to ensure good graft to wound contact and enhances skin graft take in chronic and contaminated wounds.
authors.affiliation: Cheng-Chun Wu, MD, is a Surgeon; Khong-Yik Chew, MD, is a Surgeon; Chien-Chang Chen, MD, is a Surgeon; and Yur-Ren Kuo, MD, PhD, FACS, is Chief of Surgery and Professor of Plastic Surgery, all at the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan. The authors have disclosed that they have no financial relationships related to this article.
authors.forename: Cheng-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Khong-Yik
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Chien-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yur-Ren
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001458:Bandages; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001645:Biguanides; C031233:polihexanide