Combination of Three Different Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Applications and Free Flap for Open Elbow Joint Injury With Extensive Burns

Abstract

Abstract Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for treating burns has a variety of therapeutic applications. Here, we present a case of a 53-year-old woman with self-inflicted burn injuries in whom NPWT was applied for three different purposes. The injured sites were the anterior neck, bilateral arms from the wrists upwards to the chest, and back. The left arm was deeply injured, and the elbow joint cavity was opened during treatment. First, NPWT was used for bridge to skin grafting on the entire upper left limb. Second, NPWT was used as a bolster dressing for the autograft after skin grafting was performed on the left arm except the open part of the joint. Third, NPWT over flap was used on the subsequent flap surgical site to address prolonged exudate from the flap margin. The exudate resolved after about a week. Good results were obtained using NPWT during the perioperative period of free flap transplantation for extensive open elbow joint burns. The use of NPWT is an effective option in the treatment of burns.