Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) versus traditional dressings on the incidence of transplant infection in adult patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) to the lower leg following excision of a skin tumour. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does NPWT reduce the incidence of transplant infection within three months after STSG? Does NPWT improve secondary outcomes such as graft take, reduce reoperations, complications, and resource use? Researchers will compare patients treated with NPWT to patients treated with traditional dressings to see if NPWT results in lower infection rates and better clinical outcomes. Participants will: Undergo excision of a skin tumour on the lower leg followed by STSG. Be randomized to receive either NPWT or traditional dressings applied over the graft. Follow a structured postoperative care and mobilisation schedule. Attend follow-up visits at day 5 and day 14 postoperatively and be monitored through medical record review up to three months after surgery.

Total 70 participants meeting selection criteria will be enrolled in the study from operational theatre. They will be randomly divided in two groups by using lottery method. In group A, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy will be applied at end of procedure. In group B, no Negative Pressure Wound Therapy will be placed. They will be shifted to post-surgical wad for 72 hours and then will be discharged with prescription of standard antibiotics and will be followed-up in OPD for 30 days. If patient will develop surgical site wound infection, then it will be noted. If infection will not be cured with antibiotics course, then re-operation will be done. Patients complications will be managed as per hospital protocol. All this information will be recorded in proforma.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for post total joint arthroplasty incisions has demonstrated benefits in reducing wound complications. A prospective randomized trial will be conducted including 40 patients who will undergo total knee and total hip arthroplasty. The number of wound complications within 21 days will be recorded. As well, the aesthetic appearance and quality of scarring of the scar will be assessed.