Effect of with and without Vacuum Assisted Closure on Split Thickness Skin Graft: A Prospective Study

Background: Split thickness skin graft (STSG) is most commonly used in coverage of skin defect wounds. The technique of vacuum assisted closure on STSG is a good alternative to conventional dressing over STSG. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of vacuum assisted closure on STSG with conventional method of STSG. Methods: This prospective study was conducted from January 2023 to January 2024 in the department of plastic surgery in NKPSIMS, Nagpur. Patients were divided into two groups with sample size of 30 in each group. Group 1 consisted of patients treated with STSG by conventional method of dressing. Group 2 consisted of patients treated by vacuum assisted closure on STSG. Results: Graft take on day 8th, day 12th and day 15th with conventional method of STSG group were 80.17 ± 8.66%, 86.67 ± 10.03%, and 93.50 ± 10.01% respectively and graft take in vacuum assisted closure on STSG group were 83.50 ± 8.00%, 90.50 ± 5.14%, and 98.50 ± 4.50% respectively. Conclusion: Our study concluded that application of vacuum assisted closure on STSG proved to be beneficial in terms of better graft take, less post-operative hospital stays, better patient compliance, less redo surgery and cost effective. Keywords: Split thickness skin graft, vacuum assisted closure, conventional method of dressing, bolster dressing, wounds