A Case of Morel-Lavallée Lesion Successfully Treated with Continuous Suction Using a Drain Tube Used in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Abstract

 Morel-Lavallée Lesion (MLL) is a closed degloving soft tissue injury that occurs after trauma. Although it requires early diagnosis and treatment, no standard treatment has been established. We report a 68-year-old male with MLL, who was treated with continuous suction drainage therapy. He was diagnosed as MLL after conservative treatment for traffic trauma of the right lower extremity. The RENASIS^Ⓡ drain accessory, which is used in negative pressure wound therapy, was used as a suction device. The drain was placed from the thigh to the lower abdomen, and suction was applied at -80 mmHg for 15 days. The disappearance of subcutaneous fluid collection was observed 33 days after the injury and no recurrence was observed 3 months after the injury. This procedure may be a useful method for treating MLL because it is surgically less invasive and easier to perform.