CLOSURE OF DEFECT WOUNDS BY THE COMBINATI ON OF VACUUM SEALING WITH SKIN STRETCHING

Between 1.6.1995 and 31.12.1995, 17 trauma defect wounds were closed b y suturing in 12 patients with a median of age of 35 (11-65) years, a new type of instrument for skin stretching being used in combination w ith a vacuum sealing procedure. According to clinical experience, clos ure of the skin defect would have required skin grafting in all patien ts. After secondary suturing 15 wounds healed without problems, while in the case of 1 wound there was a small skin defect, which healed spo ntaneously. In another sutured wound a partial dehiscence occurred ove r the medial malleolus on the 10th postoperative day; this also healed spontaneously without further surgical measures. There were no wound infections or necroses of the wound This procedure is recommended for the closure of defect wounds, as it reduces the risk of wound infectio ns, shortens the period of treatment and avoids cosmetically and funct ionally inadequate skin grafts.