Subatmospheric pressure dressing for saphenous vein donor-site complications

Newer endoscopic techniques have been successful at reducing saphenous vein donor-site wound complications, but not entirely eliminating them. Tissue necrosis with superimposed infection is typically treated with antibiotics and surgical debridement. Typically, primary reclosure is not possible and the open leg wound is allowed to slowly granulate with dressing changes until a skin graft can be performed. This report describes an alternative treatment using subatmospheric pressure dressing to promote granulation tissue and wound closure in saphenous vein donor-site wounds. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.