2nd Edition of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background Hand skin grafting presents unique reconstructive challenges due to the complex three-dimensional anatomy, high mobility, and functional importance of the hand. Although negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has increasingly been adopted to support skin graft fixation, its application to the hand and fingers remains technically challenging due to difficulties achieving stable sealing and adequate conformity over irregular surfaces. To address these limitations, several modified NPWT techniques have been adapted however, the available evidence has not been comprehensively mapped.
Objective To systematically map modified NPWT techniques used for hand skin graft fixation and characterize recurring technical adaptations, clinical applications, and reported outcomes in anatomically complex hand reconstruction.
Methods A systematic scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, were searched for studies describing modified NPWT techniques for hand skin graft fixation. Eligible studies included cohort studies, single arm studies, case series, and case reports involving NPWT assisted graft stabilization in hand reconstruction. Data on technical adaptations, graft characteristics, NPWT parameters, adjunctive procedures, and clinical outcomes were extracted and descriptively synthesized