Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40862371›Full record

SynthesisJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2026

Skin graft bolstered by negative pressure therapy in chronic wounds: A systematic review.

M Gamel, M Gael, A C Bursztejn

Abstract readSystematic ReviewReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Skin graft bolstered by negative pressure therapy in chronic wounds: A systematic review.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2026
    Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

M GamelDermatology, Batiment P Canton, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8432-4505
M GaelDermatology, Batiment P Canton, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France.
A C BursztejnDermatology, Batiment P Canton, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic ulcers represent a significant burden for patients, often requiring advanced therapeutic interventions. Skin grafting is a critical treatment option, yet the risk of graft failure remains substantial. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing graft survival in acute wounds, but its effectiveness in chronic ulcers remains underexplored.

objectivesThis systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT in bolstering skin grafts for the treatment of chronic ulcers.

methodsWe conducted this systematic literature review using the scientific databases PUBMED, COCHRANE and EMBASE. Studies involving skin grafts supported by NPWT for chronic wounds were included, while those focussing on acute wounds, burns or post-surgical wounds were excluded. Data on patient demographics, wound characteristics, NPWT parameters and graft outcomes were extracted and analysed.

resultsA total of 21 articles, encompassing 186 patients, were included. The maximal graft uptake (≥95%) was observed in 33% of patients, while 77% achieved a graft uptake of ≥90%. The mean graft take was 92% (89.7, 93.5, 95% confidence interval). Complete recovery was achieved in 79% of patients, with a mean recovery time of 73 days. Complete response without recurrence was noticed in 38% of the cases, with a mean time without recurrence of 197 days. Exploratory analyses indicated higher graft take rates in patients under 65 years, males, diabetics and those without arterial disease. Venous and neurotrophic ulcers also showed superior graft uptake.

conclusionsNPWT appears to significantly enhance graft survival in chronic ulcers, with an excellent safety and tolerance profile. As there was no control group, historical controls of graft take without NPWT were used. Short-term NPWT application (less than 1 week) is recommended for optimal outcomes. These findings suggest that NPWT should be considered a preferred method for securing skin grafts in chronic ulcer management. PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251005192.

Indexed as

Negative-Pressure Wound TherapySkin TransplantationSkin UlcerChronic DiseaseGraft SurvivalHumansMaleWound Healingchronic woundsnegative pressure wound therapyskin graft

Identifiers

PMID40862371
PMCPMC12843873

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.