Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of skin replantation combined with vacuum assisted closure (VAC) technology for the treatment of degloving injuries in children. Methods From August 2013 to August 2017, 42 patients (42 wounds) with large area of degloving injury (32 in limbs and legs, 8 in trunk and 2 in head )were included in this study. Skin replantation and VAC technique were applied in all patients after debridement. The skin condition was observed. Results The flaps all survived in 29 cases (69.05%). In 7 cases, the survival area of the flap was more than 75% (14.29%) because of local skin necrosis which healed after a short term dressing. In 6 cases, the survival area of the flap was more than 50% and less than 75% (14.29%), and the residue wound were healed by secondary skin grafting. Conclusion The skin replantation combined with VAC technology is an effective method for the treatment of degloving injuries in children. It can not only improve the skin graft survival significantly, but also reduce the incidence of secondary operation.

Key words: Degloving injury, Skin replantation, Vacuum assisted closure, Children