Useful technique using negative pressure wound therapy on postoperative lower leg open wounds with compartment syndrome

BackgroundCompartment syndrome (CS) of the lower leg in need of a fasciotomy for quick decompression and closure of the wound remains an issue. We report positive outcomes from combining two methods, the shoelace technique and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) together, to address this problem.Patients and methodsFive patients were diagnosed with the lower leg CS and underwent surgery. The wounds were treated by combining the shoelace technique and V.A.C.® Therapy, and the wounds’ shoelaces were gradually tightened.ResultsEight emergency fasciotomies were performed in five patients with CS. The mean time to wound closure by suturing was 16.2 days and additional skin grafting was performed in only one case.ConclusionThe use of this combination of treatments may prevent the need to use a skin graft, which has problems providing pleasing aesthetic results.