Optimal use of negative pressure wound therapy for skin grafts

Skin grafting is a technique used for transplanting human skin (i.e. epidermal and some dermal layers) from a harvest site to a recipient site. However, advancements in bioengineered matrices have also introduced alternatives to skin grafts. The method used to secure the graft, whether skin or biomatrix, is critical in reducing graft failure. During the past several years, negative pressure wound therapy using reticulated open-cell foam (NPWT/ROCF; V.A.C.® Therapy, KCI USA, Inc., San Antonio, TX) has become a well-established method for bolstering grafts to recipient beds and is being used more frequently over biomatrices to help improve graft outcomes. This review will combine expert opinion with scientific evidence for the use of NPWT/ROCF over grafts.