Use of negative pressure wound therapy as an occlusive dressing on a skin graft in a patient with hostile abdomen.

BACKGROUND: In hostile abdomen the abdominal cavity is exposed, with retracted edges compacted into a single block of fibrous tissue that does not allow for adequate dissection or separation. After the inflammation is controlled, definitive closure of the abdomen can be attempted. One closure technique includes the use of skin grafts, which requires an adequate recipient site. Several therapies are used to promote granulation, such as dressings, antiseptic solutions, and negative pressure wound therapy. However, there is limited evidence of the use of these therapies in a hostile abdomen. CASE REPORT: A patient with hostile abdomen eventually achieved closure after split-thickness and full-thickness skin grafting in conjunction with use of a lipidocolloidal dressing and negative pressure wound therapy. The findings are reported in line with the Surgical CAse REport criteria. CONCLUSION: Negative pressure wound therapy may improve the condition of the abdomen for receiving a skin graft. Successful use of a lipidocolloidal dressing as an interface between the graft and negative pressure wound therapy was achieved in this case. Effective and continuous communication among medical staff, the patient, and his relatives contributes to improved outcomes.