OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effectes of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technique and reattachment of avulsed skin in treating avulsion injuries of limbs.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was done on 25 patients suffering from avulsion injuries of limbs, who were treated with vacuum sealing drainage and reattachment of the avulsed skin. Among the patients, 19 patients were male and 6 patients were female, ranging in age from 21 years to 57 years, with an average of 41 years. After debridement, the patients got reattachment of skin graft with subdermal vascular network or split-thickness skin graft, and the wound surface was covered with polyvinyl sponge. VSD was removed after 7 to 14 days. The color, survival rate and sensory function of the skin were observed after operation.

RESULTSAll the wounds infection was controlled with VSD. The skin survival rate was more than 96% in 16 cases, more than 90% in 7 cases, and skin edge of 2 cases had little necrosis but rehabilitated after dress-changing. The reattached skins had almost normal skin color, soft and abrasion resistant, satisfactory sensory function, and no compression ulcer was observed after 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONVSD combined with graft with subdermal vascular network or split-thickness skin graft helps to promote wound drainage, reattachment of skin, and decrease infection. It is an effective method in treating avulsion injuries of limbs.