No significant difference in outcomes found between vacuum-assisted closure versus standard bandaging of free meshed full-thickness skin grafts in a cohort of 125 dogs

Objective: To compare outcomes of full-thickness skin grafting in dogs treated with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) versus standard bandaging (SB), and to determine whether there is a difference between splinted and staged cases. Methods: In this single-private practice retrospective observational study, records from January 2012 to December 2025 were reviewed. Dogs with free meshed skin grafts treated with VAC versus SB and that had ≥ 14 days' follow-up were included. Signalment, comorbidities, wound characteristics, peri- and postoperative management, complications, follow-up, and outcomes were recorded. Graft success was deemed as ≥ 75% viability of the original area. Variables were compared between treatment groups and outcomes. Results: There were 127 grafts among 125 client-owned dogs: 24 VAC and 103 SB. No statistically significant difference in outcome was detected between treatment groups after adjustment. Overall graft success was 107 of 127 (84.3%; VAC, 22 of 24 [91.6%]; SB, 85 of 103 [82.5%]). Staging was associated with increased postoperative complications, but did not reach significance (75.7% vs 55.6%). Surgical site infection (SSI) and proximal pelvic limb wounds were associated with a 23.83% (95% CI, 13.7% to 33.98%) and 33.7% (95% CI, 12% to 55.26%) increase in graft loss percentage points, respectively. Staging was associated with SSI in univariate analysis (OR, 5.47; 95% CI, 2.21 to 13.54; P < .001), but only approached significance in multivariate analysis (OR, 3.47; 95% CI, 0.89 to 13.48; P = .073). Conclusions: Both VAC and SB are appropriate for graft management. Infection monitoring and control were important factors for improved outcome. Clinical Relevance: VAC and SB as well as splinting should be considered in skin graft cases. Staging should be reserved for select cases and may be associated with SSI. Prospective studies are suggested to further investigate findings.