Two Simple Leg Net Devices to Protect Lower Extremity Skin Grafts and Donor Sites and Prevent Decubitus

Abstract

Burn therapists are routinely tasked to position patient's lower extremities for skin graft protection, donor site ventilation and decubitus prevention. Appropriate positioning minimizes graft loss, donor site morbidity, and pressure decubitus. A device utilized to meet this need has been described using PVC frames. The device does not provide the necessary rigid support, lacks durability and requires frequent replacement. Two alternative positioning devices constructed of copper pipe and fittings have been developed to address these limitations. The high profile and low profile leg net devices are simple to fabricate and maintain. The frame is assembled using ¾“ diameter copper pipe and copper fittings (45o, 90o and tees). The copper pipe is cut to specific lengths and assembled with the fittings to form a trapezoid-shaped wedge (high profile) and a rectangular-shaped block (low profile). A double layer of elasticized tubular netting, such as Bandnet™, is then pulled over...