Comparative Study Over Securing Split Thickness Skin Grafts for Posttraumatic Wounds Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy versus the Conventional Tie Over Technique

Background: Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) are crucial for managing soft tissue defects, requiring close contact between the graft and the recipient wound bed for success. Negative pressure therapy has been used to promote wound healing and secure skin grafts by ensuring tight adhesion.Methods: A prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial was conducted on 30 post-traumatic wound cases eligible for STSGs. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A received negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for securing STSGs, while Group B underwent the tie-over technique. Outcomes were evaluated based on time to 90% graft take, graft failure, contraction, complications, and patient satisfaction with aesthetic appearance.Results: The mean time for 90% graft take was 6.7±2.8 days in Group A and 9.3±3.7 days in Group B. Patient satisfaction regarding aesthetic appearance scored 7.5±1.1 in Group A and 5.9±1.7 in Group B. No statistical difference was observed in operative time or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups.Conclusions: Securing STSGs for post-traumatic wounds using NPWT is advantageous compared to the conventional tie-over technique, resulting in shorter time to 90% graft take, lower infection rates, reduced graft failure, and better cosmetic outcomes.Keywords: Skin Grafts, Traumatic, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Tie Over.