25.0: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 3:56 PM
7736

Bolster Versus VACŪ Negative Pressure Wound Dressing for Securing Split-Thickness Skin Grafts in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Ned Snyder, MD and Lisa J. Gould, MD, PhD.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to evaluate the outcome of patients treated with excision and grafting plus VACŪ dressing versus a traditional bolster in securing split thickness skin grafts in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa(HS). Methods: A retrospective chart review of 23 patients treated with excision and grafting for HS were completed to asses time to wound healing and cost of medical treatment. The patients were grouped into VACŪ (n=10) and traditional bolster (n=13) and sub-grouped according to location: axilla, or groin/perineum. Results: The cost of treatment of the two groups with axillary HS was not statistically different. However, the time to healing of the VACŪ group was less than the bolster group (p=0.086). In patients with groin/perineum HS the VACŪ negative pressure wound dressing for securing split-thickness skin grafts had decreased hospital cost and decreased time to wound healing (p=0.049). Conclusion: The use of VACŪ negative pressure wound dressing for securing skin grafts in HS patients had decreased length of time to wound healing in all groups. From this data we conclude the use of the VACŪ dressings for securing skin grafts in HS patients provides a better outcome with a shorter time to healing.