Clinical efficacy of mechanically activated tissue retractor combined with vacuum sealing drainage for treating deep...

This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of mechanically activated tissue retractor (MATR) combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) versus conventional VSD for treating deep soft tissue defects.

This prospective study included 53 patients with deep soft tissue defects treated between July 2024 and April 2025. The combination group (26 patients) received MATR combined with VSD, while the control group (27 patients) received conventional VSD. Outcome measures included defect healing time, rate of defect healing, mature granulation, graft survival status, pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), functional mobility (Activities of Daily Living Scale, ADLS), scarring (Vancouver Scar Scale, VSS), and perioperative complications. Chi-square test, t-test, and ANOVA were used to compare differences.

The combination group demonstrated a significantly shorter defect healing time and lower perioperative complication rate than the control group (all P < 0.05). At 14 days and 21 days after surgery, the combination group demonstrated superior defect healing, mature granulation, and skin survival status compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Additionally, the combination group had significantly lower VAS scores and higher ADLS scores than the control group (all P < 0.05). At 3 months after defect healing, the combination group again showed significantly lower VAS and VSS scores, and higher ADLS scores than the control group (all P < 0.05).

MATR combined with VSD was more effective in treating deep soft tissue defects compared to conventional VSD.