Combined use of dermal substitutes with vacuum therapy in the management of complex wounds: a second skin

Abstract

The most used technique to cover a skin defect is skin autograft. Sometimes we need a good functional and aesthetic result, for which matrices have been developed that allow dermal regeneration. To improve contact with the wound bed, different authors have used vacuum therapy. Objective: To illustrate the use of dermal substitutes associated with vacuum therapy as an option to consider in the management of complex wounds. Results: Clinical case of a 27-year-old man, with a history of vehicular accident. He had 12x6 cm loss of substance in the left palmar face. Surgical toilette + vacuum therapy (VT) was performed, then placement of dermal substitute + VT and finally total skin autograft + VT. Conclusions: The use of dermal substitutes can achieve satisfactory functional and aesthetic results enhanced by vacuum therapy.