title: Effect of negative pressure wound therapy and external fixation in the treatment of femur fracture complicated by skin avulsion: a retrospective case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical effects of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and external fixation in the treatment of femur fracture complicated by skin avulsion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven cases of comminuted fracture of the femur caused by traffic accidents and complicated by skin avulsion were retrospectively analyzed. After stabilization and treatment of life-threatening injuries, these 7 patients underwent wound debridement, external fixation of the fracture, and coverage of the wound with NPWT. Secondarily, the wounds were covered by skin-grafting. Patients were followed for an average of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After infection prophylaxis had been implemented and healthy granulation tissue had developed, each patient underwent secondary suture, freeskin grafting, or skin flap transfer. No wound had purulent drainage upon removal of the NPWT 4 to 7 days after placement. Secondary skin grafting was accomplished successfully in all 7 patients. Patients were followed for 6 to 15 months, and all wounds were well healed with no case of nonunion, osteomyelitis, or deformity at the site of union.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  External fixation with NPWT is effective treatment for femur fracture complicated by skin avulsion. The rate of infection is low and hospital stay is relatively short.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China; email:drqb123@163.com.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Qiu
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China.
authors: Fei
authors: F
authors: Peng
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Zhong
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China.
authors: Zhe
authors: Z
authors: Wang