The The Effect of Gauze-Based, Negative-Pressure Wound Dressing on Skin Graft Survival: A Comparative Study

OBJECTIVES: To compare the success rates of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) survival for gauze-based and foam-based Negative-Pressure Wound Dressing (NPWDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, prospective, cohort study was conducted to compare the STSG survival rates of gauze-based and foam-based NPWDs at Days 7 and 30 post-surgery. Sixty-nine patients underwent STSG and NPWD procedures. In all, 79 wounds required dressing: 42 had a foam-based NPWD applied, while the remaining 37 wounds had a gauze-based NPWD. Wall-suctioned, continuously negative pressure was applied at -100 mmHg for 7 days. RESULTS: At Day 7, the median graft survivals of the foam- and gauze-based NPWDs were 89.74% and 87.63%, respectively. At 30 days, the median graft survival for the foam- and gauze-based NPWDs were 95.2% and 92.01%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the graft survival of the 2 groups. The success rate of graft survival for the gauze-based NPWD proved to not be inferior to that of foam-based NPWD. CONCLUSION: Gauzed-based NPWD is non-inferior to foam-based NPWD in terms of STSG survival. Gauze can be used as an alternative NPWD for STSG immobilization.