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Case Reports
. 2019 Sep 20;12(9):e231197.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-231197.

Use of negative-pressure wound therapy and split-thickness skin autograft to cover an exposed renal transplant

Victoria Elizabeth McKinnon  1 , Jouseph Barkho  2 , Mark H McRae  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Use of negative-pressure wound therapy and split-thickness skin autograft to cover an exposed renal transplant

Victoria Elizabeth McKinnon et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Exposure of a renal transplant through the abdominal wall is a rare event. A search of the literature reveals only six documented cases which used skin autograft for coverage, with none reported since 1981, and none which used negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to prepare the recipient bed. This case report demonstrates that NPWT followed by split thickness skin graft is a reconstructive option which is feasible in patients who are at high risk for surgical complications in prolonged flap surgery.

Keywords: plastic and reconstructive surgery; renal transplantation; transplantation; urological surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The abdominal wound prior to debridement. The graft contours are clearly visible. Medial dehiscence of the vicryl mesh can be seen.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The wound can be seen following split-thickness skin graft placement. Drainage slits have been made in the graft to prevent seroma formation and encourage graft take.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The skin graft has healed with full take. The renal allograft is completely covered by the skin graft.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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