Negative Pressure Wound Therapy to Promote Fixation and Remodeling of Omental Flap in Patients with Revascularized Limbs: A Case Series

We present our experience with 5 patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) treated with distal revascularization and omental flap coverage. We decided to investigate the efficacy and safety of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in promoting the fixation and remodeling of the omental flap as there is some evidence in the literature about the optimization of results for skin graft and dermal substitutes. Surgical revascularization was always the first procedure attempted; wound coverage was realized 3-5 days after the primary procedure (omental free-flap in 3 patients and omental flow-through flap in 2 patients). NPWT with small foam at −75 mm Hg was applied on the second postoperative day after flap coverage. Effective remodeling of the flap was defined as the flap overcoming the wound edge no more than 10 mm. Limb salvage rate was 100%; in all the patients, and we observed satisfactory fixation and remodeling of the omental flap after 10-20 days of NPWT, secondary skin grafting within 3-4 weeks after revascularization, and adequate and complete mobilization within 6 months after hospital discharge. We did not report any relapsing infection nor any recurrent wound up to 2 years of follow-up. Distal revascularization combined with omental free-flap or flow-through flap is highly effective for limb salvage in CLTI patients with complex wounds. NPWT may be an useful adjunct to promote fixation and remodeling of the omental flap before secondary skin grafting. It may reduce secondary issues related to omental flap coverage allowing rapid and satisfactory mobilization of patients.