Negative pressure wound therapy using polyvinyl alcohol foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Client-owned dogs (n = 8).


METHODS
Full-thickness mesh skin graft was directly covered with PVA foam. NPWT was maintained for 5 days (in 1 or 2 cycles). Grafts were evaluated on days 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 for graft appearance and graft take, granulation tissue formation, and complications.


RESULTS
Firm attachment of the graft to the recipient bed was accomplished in 7 dogs with granulation tissue quickly filling the mesh holes, and graft take considered excellent. One dog had bandage complications after cessation of the NPWT, causing partial graft loss. The PVA foam did not adhere to the graft or damage the surrounding skin.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of NPWT with a PVA foam after full-thickness mesh skin grafting in dogs provides an effective method for securing skin grafts, with good graft acceptance. PVA foam can be used as a primary dressing for skin grafts, obviating the need for other interposing materials to protect the graft and the surrounding skin.
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Matan
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3723-0849
M
Or
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Bart
B
Van Goethem
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Adriaan
A
Kitshoff
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Annika
A
Koenraadt
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.|DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium.
Ilona
I
Schwarzkopf
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Tim
T
Bosmans
Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Hilde
H
de Rooster
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D011145:Polyvinyls; C026699:ivalon sponge; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol