Negative Pressure Wound Therapy as an Artificial Leech to Save a Congestive Flap: Case Report

Abstract

Summary: Historically, patients with lower limb defects have represented a challenge for plastic surgeons because of their higher rate of complications. One of the main complications is venous congestion. Recently, various studies have suggested the use of negative pressure wound therapy as a salvage flap therapy, showing promising results. In this case report, we will outline the case of an elderly patient with different comorbidities in whom we used negative pressure wound therapy (as an artificial leech) to reverse venous congestion in the flap, with a satisfactory clinical outcome and without any more surgical procedures.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Gas Gangrene of the Fingertip with Prolonged Infection

“…Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a relatively new treatment strategy. Owing to its excellent wound healing effect, it is used to treat a wide range of conditions, 1 , 2 such as traumatic wounds, 3 pressure sores, open abdomens, sternal wounds, 4 diabetic foot, 5 second-degree burns, skin flaps, 6 and skin graft recipient sites. 7 However, no study has examined and reported on treating fingertip infection–associated soft tissue defects using NPWT.…”