ISSN:
1435-0130
Keywords:
Wound repair
;
Skin biomechanical properties
;
Skin stretching device
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The skin stretching device was designed to harness the biomechanical properties of the skin in order to close large cutaneous defects by direct closure, without the need of other more complicated techniques such as skin grafts or flaps. The authors present their experience with 31 patients in whom the device was used to repair defects produced by excision of lesions of different nature, size, and body areas, six cases are presented. The main defect of the method, i.e. the increase of intraoperative time to allow for tissue stretching, should be avoidable most of the time by applying the device preoperatively under local anesthesia. The importance of not undermining during this procedure is stressed; the objective parameters to evaluate are analyzed, such as colour and tension of the skin. The complication rate was very acceptable, there was only one infection and one marginal necrosis that healed without further interventions. The described technique appears safe and easy to perform, and produces a good short-term result.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00207916
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