Abstract
To our knowledge this is the first systematic review of the immediate application
of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to the head and neck in free flap reconstruction.
We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed and Cochrane databases in October 2021
using the MeSH terms ‘negative pressure wound therapy’, ‘free flaps’, ‘microsurgery’,
and ‘vacuum-assisted closure’. Included studies evaluated the use of immediate NPWT
in head and neck free flap reconstruction. Outcomes, indications, monitoring, and
reported complications were retrieved. Of the 908 articles searched, nine published
between 2000 and 2021 were included: four retrospective studies and five case series.
NPWT was applied to 56 free flaps, and 54 had successful outcomes. The most common
reported indication for flap reconstruction was malignancy. NPWT has the potential
to be a valuable tool for complicated wounds, and further studies are needed to quantify
functional and aesthetic outcomes.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: April 16, 2022
Accepted:
April 9,
2022
Received in revised form:
March 21,
2022
Received:
January 28,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
