Gauze-based negative pressure wound therapy as an adjunct to collagen-elastin [corrected] dermal template resurfacing

To report the first case series of gauze-based negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as an adjunct to collagen-elastin dermal template resurfacing and provide a brief overview of the current knowledge and controversies regarding NPWT in association with dermal templates.

In this prospective study, patients undergoing single stage resurfacing with Matriderm (Dr Suwelack Skin & Health Care, Germany) between September 2007 and September 2008 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital were identified and followed up. A gauze-based NPWT system (V1STA) was used to secure the dermal template and split skin graft to the wound bed. Rates of epithelialisation, the patients' analgesic requirements and patient concordance with the device were all recorded.

In the 10 patients studied (7 males and 3 females) this modality of vacuum therapy was found to be effective in all cases for bolstering single stage collagen-elastin dermal templates onto wounds, and contributed to excellent rates of epithelialisation (mean: 94%, range: 70-100%). Additionally, patient concordance with the device was excellent and the costs associated with its use were much lower compared with foam-based NPWT.

We recommend the consideration of gauze-based NPWT as cost-effective alternative to foam based modalities in association with the use of dermal templates.