English

Abstract

BACKGROUND The study was started with the aim to determine take up rate in tumescent technique compared to non-tumescent technique for harvesting split skin graft. Tumescent technique has been practiced for over forty years especially in liposuction. Tumescent anaesthesia is a combination of crystalloid, lignocaine, adrenaline and sodium bicarbonate. Using tumescent local anaesthesia for harvesting a split thickness skin graft is not in much practise. This study was designed to provide strong evidence of this technique. METHODS This was an observational study. Two treatment groups of patients, tumescent (group A, N = 21) and non-tumescent technique (group B, N =21), who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned. Tumescent technique involved administration of Klein’s formula. No prior administration of agent was performed in non-tumescent technique. The recipient site was opened in both groups on the fifth day after surgery and take rate assessed. RESULTS The difference in take up rate between the two groups was found to be statistically significant. Compared to the patients in group B, patients who underwent tumescent technique (group A) had higher take up rate (> 12 %, P = 0.005). We did not find any statistically significant difference in donor site percentage healing between the tumescent and non-tumescent groups, P = 0.379. CONCLUSIONS Tumescent technique gives better take up results and is more effective than nontumescent technique in harvesting split skin graft. The subdermal injection creates a smooth, dense surface which assists donor harvesting. This can be implemented preoperatively in split-thickness skin grafting. KEYWORDS Split Skin Graft, Take Up Rate, Harvesting, Tumescent, Non-Tumescent, Local Anaesthesia