J Korean Surg Soc.  2013 Sep;85(3):134-138. 10.4174/jkss.2013.85.3.134.

Negative pressure wound therapy for inguinal lymphatic complications in critically ill patients

• Cheong YK
• Jun H
• Cho YP
• Song GW
• Moon KM
• Kwon TW
• Lee SG

• KMID: 1426346
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2013.85.3.134

Abstract

PURPOSE
In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of regulated negative pressure vacuum-assisted wound therapy for inguinal lymphatic complications in critically ill, liver transplant recipients.
METHODS
The great saphenous vein was harvested for hepatic vein reconstruction during liver transplantation in 599 living-donor liver transplant recipients. Fourteen of the recipients (2.3%) developed postoperative inguinal lymphatic complications and were treated with negative pressure wound therapy, and they were included in this study.
RESULTS
The average total duration of negative pressure wound therapy was 23 days (range, 11 to 42 days). Complete resolution of the lymphatic complications and wound healing were achieved in all 14 patients, 5 of whom were treated in hospital and 9 as outpatients. There was no clinically detectable infection, bleeding or recurrence after an average follow-up of 27 months (range, 7 to 36 months).
CONCLUSION
Negative pressure wound therapy is an effective, readily-available treatment option that is less invasive than exploration and ligation of leaking lymphatics and provides good control of drainage and rapid wound closure in critically ill patients.

Keyword

Wound; Lymphatic; Complication; Negative pressure; Therapy

MeSH Terms

Critical Illness
Drainage
Follow-Up Studies
Hemorrhage
Hepatic Veins
Humans
Ligation
Liver
Liver Transplantation
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy
Outpatients
Recurrence
Saphenous Vein
Transplants
Wound Healing

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Application of negative pressure wound therapy, consisting of putting a conventional black sponge polyurethane foam dressing into the inguinal wound cavity, connecting it to a vacuum pump with a tube and covering it with an adhesive drape.

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