Full-thickness Skin Graft Reconstruction Research Articles

An exploratory randomized clinical trial on negative pressure wound therapy for lower limb full-thickness skin grafts of dermatosurgical patients.

Full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) reconstructions of lower limbs are especially prone to wound complications. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) enhances wound healing, but no broad evidence exists if it promotes graft take of lower leg FTSGs. In this investigator-initiated, prospective, randomised and controlled trial, 20 patients with ambulatory FTSG reconstruction for lower limb skin cancers were randomised for postoperative treatment with either NPWT, or conventional dressings. As outcomes, adherence of the skin graft 1 week postoperatively, any wound complications within 3 months, including ≥3 weeks delayed wound healing, and the number of additional postoperative visits were compared. In both groups, grafts adhered equally well (p = 0.47); 80% of NPWT-treated and 100% of control group grafts adhered >90%. There was no significant difference in the number of postoperative complications/delayed wound healing (p = 0.65); 70% of patients in the NPWT and 50% in the control group developed a wound complication. Both groups had an equal number of patients with at least three additional control visits (p = 1.0). The study was discontinued after 20 patients were recruited, as no benefit from NPWT was seen. To conclude, the study showed no benefit from NPWT for lower limb FTSGs.

The Role of Full-Thickness Skin Grafts in Patient's Rehabilitation after Maxillectomy and Midface Defects.

(1) Background: Nowadays, microvascular grafts are the gold standard in the reconstruction of midface defects after maxillectomy, however, not all patients may qualify for this type of surgery. The purpose of present study is to evaluate the benefits of alternative reconstruction methods such as full-thickness skin grafts for these conditions. (2) Methods: The research group consisted of 37 patients who underwent maxillectomy due to cancer of the mid-face and had full-thickness skin graft reconstruction. The study covered the period from 2011 to 2020. (3) Results: Based on the clinical examination and the subjective assessment of patients, a positive effect of the use of free skin grafts on their convalescence and rehabilitation was found. In particular, they contributed to the reduction in postoperative pain and pain associated with prosthetic stages (VAS Scale). (4) Conclusion: Full-thickness skin grafts in combination with individual prosthetic restorations are a good alternative to rehabilitation in patients who do not qualify for microsurgical treatment.

Are tie-over bolster dressings necessary for healing or success of full thickness skin graft reconstruction following facial skin cancer excision?

Skin grafts are commonly used for reconstruction of defects following excision of facial skin cancers. Tie-over bolster dressings are routinely placed to secure these grafts, but are they necessary for healing or graft success?A total of 96 patients was treated from 2013-2019 who underwent full thickness skin graft (FTSG) reconstruction following facial skin cancer excision were retrospectively analysed. All patients were treated by one consultant with non-fenestrated FTSG’s placed on defects varying from 10 to 55mm in maximum diameter. Grafts were sutured circumferentially with a continuous resorbable suture. Tie-over bolster dressings were not used, and the recipient site was dressed with MepitelTMand SteristripsTM. Primary defect sites where we used this technique included the pinna, the nose and face, and less commonly, the scalp. Graft harvest sites included the neck, pre-auricular, and submental regions.Complete graft take was noted in 94/96 patients. Partial graft failure was observed in two patients, one who healed and had successful late scar revision surgery and one who was managed conservatively and healed well. Two further patients with complete graft healing later underwent minimal revisional contour surgery with satisfactory results.This retrospective study has shown FTSG success in cutaneous defects of the head and neck to be excellent without the use of tie-over bolsters. This has significant benefits of saving operative time, reducing cost, and sparing the patient both unnecessary intraoperative steps, and the inconvenience of a bolster with its often-painful removal. We recommend that the use of tie-over bolsters in the management of most FTSG reconstructed head and neck cutaneous defects be considered an unnecessary step. We believe there are no adverse effects of our described simple technique, and that there are significant benefits to the patient.

Are tie-over bolster dressings necessary for healing or success of full thickness skin graft reconstruction, following facial skin cancer excision?

Introduction/aims: Skin grafts are commonly used for reconstruction of defects following excision of facial skin cancers. Tie-over bolster dressings are routinely placed to secure these grafts, but are they really necessary for healing or graft success?

Surgical Treatment of Subungual Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Wide Excision of the Nail Unit and Skin Graft Reconstruction

ImportanceThe best surgical treatment modalities for subungual squamous cell carcinoma (SUSCC) without bone invasion need to be determined. The limited available data on Mohs micrographic surgery do not demonstrate its use as a standard procedure. A previous study in a limited series of patients has shown that wide surgical excision of the nail unit was associated with a low rate of recurrence.ObjectivesTo confirm the efficiency of wide surgical excision of the nail unit with full-thickness skin graft reconstruction on a series of patients with SUSCC with an extended follow-up and to evaluate short- and long-term postoperative morbidity and patient satisfaction.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA consecutive series of 55 patients with biopsy-proven SUSCC without bone invasion treated by wide surgical excision of the nail unit followed by full-thickness skin graft reconstruction from January 1, 2000, to August 31, 2012 were included. After a minimum follow-up of 5 years, the recurrences were collected from the referring physicians. Statistical analysis was conducted from January 1 to June 30, 2016.Main Outcomes and MeasuresDemographic data, pathologic characteristics of tumors, postoperative follow-up, and recurrences were collected from medical records. Patients’ satisfaction with surgery, quality of life, and delayed postoperative morbidity (functional outcome and sensory disorders) were assessed from a questionnaire mailed to patients and physicians.ResultsAmong the 55 patients (23 women and 32 men; mean age, 64 years), the mean follow-up was 6.6 years (range, 5.0-11.2 years), with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Fifty-two questionnaires (95%) were returned. Two recurrences were observed. Minor early postoperative complications, such as graft infection and delayed wound healing, were seen in 6 patients; 8 patients experienced severe pain. Late postoperative complications included hypersensitivity to mechanical shocks (39 of 51 patients [76%]), mildly increased sensitivity to cold (38 of 51 patients [75%]), loss of fine touch sensation (17 of 35 patients [49%]), and epidermal inclusion cysts (9 of 51 patients [18%]). Most patients were very satisfied with cosmetic and global outcomes of the surgery.Conclusions and RelevanceTotal excision of the nail unit followed by a full-thickness skin graft is a safe and efficient treatment for SUSCC without bone involvement, with satisfying cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Surgical Treatment of Nonmalignant Tracheoesophageal Fistula: A Thirty-Five Year Experience

Acquired nonmalignant tracheoesophageal fistula in the adult patient develops in a variety of conditions. We have applied surgical closure with success for 35 years. From 1975 to 1991, 38 patients underwent surgical repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula. A retrospective study of 36 additional patients undergoing surgical repair from 1992 to 2010 was conducted. The most common causes were postintubation injury (n=17, 47%), trauma (n=6, 17%), prior laryngectomy (n=6, 17%), and prior esophagectomy (n=4, 11%). Four patients presented after failing fistula control with an endoluminal stent. The tracheal defect was closed with resection and reconstruction (n=17, 41%), laryngotracheal resection (n=5, 12%), membranous tracheal repair (n=17, 41%), or repair over a tracheal T tube (n=2, 5%), while esophageal repair consisted of 2-layer closure (n=31, 78%), 1-layer closure (n=6, 15%), esophagostomy (n=1, 3%), end-to-end esophageal anastomosis (n=1, 3%), or full thickness skin graft reconstruction (n=1, 3%). The esophageal and tracheal repairs were buttressed by interposing pedicled muscle or omental flaps in all patients. There was 1 postoperative death (3%). Recurrence after repair developed only in fistulas arising after esophagectomy or laryngectomy (n=4, 11%). Fistula closure was ultimately successful in 34 patients (94%). Twenty-nine patients (83%) resumed oral intake and 25 patients (71%) were breathing without a tracheal appliance. Successful closure of benign tracheoesophageal fistula is achieved with several surgical techniques based on buttressed repair and restoration of normal breathing and swallowing. Closure of complex postsurgical fistula may fail. Endoluminal stenting was not found useful.

Full-Thickness Grafts Procured from Skin Overlying the Sentinel Lymph Node Basin; Reconstruction of Primary Cutaneous Malignancy Excision Defects

Radical excision of a cutaneous malignancy may require skin-graft closure. The skin overlying the sentinel lymph node (SLN) basin may be procured as a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG), eliminating a problematic and painful third wound, the donor site. However, the potential for implantation of malignant cells transferred from the nodal basin to the primary site, resulting in increased perigraft recurrence rates with the FTSG technique, has not been evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a cutaneous malignancy who underwent SLN biopsy and skin-graft closure to evaluate the outcomes of full-thickness sentinel node basin procured skin grafts compared with partial-thickness grafts (PTSG). Fifty-seven patients underwent FTSG reconstruction, and 39 patients had PTSG placed at the time of wide excision and SLN biopsy. Eighty-five percent of patients had melanoma; median melanoma thickness for FTSG patients (N = 53) was 2.0 vs. 2.8 mm (N = 29) for the PTSG group (P = .0007). Positive sentinel nodes were identified in nine of 57 patients (16%) and 11 of 39 patients (28%) in the FTSG and PTSG groups, respectively. Perigraft recurrence rates were not significantly different (5 vs. 10%) between the two groups. Graft take rate for the FTSG group was slightly higher than the PTSG group (median = 88% vs 80%, P = .008). FTSG cosmetic results were generally excellent. This FTSG closure method eliminates a painful third wound and often results in a better cosmetic outcome. Perigraft recurrences do not appear to be increased with FTSG. This technique should be in the armamentarium of surgeons who treat cutaneous malignancy.

T-cell lymphoma of the upper eyelid: A case report and review of the literature

We present the case report of a 95-year-old white female with a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) of the upper eyelid. Due to her comorbid medical problems, multidisciplinary tumor board recommendation for treatment was surgical excision. She underwent excision with frontalis muscle flap and contralateral eyelid full thickness skin graft reconstruction. The patient has been symptom free for 3.5 years. A literature review of cutaneous CTCL isolated to the eyelid is included.

Do systemic antibiotics increase the survival of a full thickness graft on the nose?

Full thickness grafts on the nose do not always heal without problems. Partial or entire necrosis of the graft is likely to lead to less favourable cosmetic results and prolonged wound care. No consensus exists as to the use of systemic antibiotics to increase the success rate of survival of a full thickness skin graft on the nose after non-melanoma skin cancer surgery. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of systemic antibiotics on the survival of full thickness grafts on the nose. We performed a randomized, controlled trial in which we compared azithromycin with standard treatment in 30 patients, who underwent a full thickness graft reconstruction of a surgical defect on the nose after surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer. Percentage survival of the graft was the main outcome measure. A statistically significant difference in favour of the grafts treated with azithromycin was seen (P=0.002). Of all the variables analysed, only smoking had a significant negative effect on the survival of the graft. Systemic antibiotics with an accurate bacterial spectrum should be advised in full thickness skin graft reconstruction after surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer of the nose. Smoking should be strongly discouraged.

Nasalis Flap and Graft Repair Provides Reliable Closure for Denuded Defects of the Nose

Skin cancer surgery involving the nasal tip and dorsum sometimes results in exposure of underlying bone or cartilage. We describe a simple method of providing a vascular bed for the defect using the superficial nasalis musculoaponeurotic system (SNAS) of the nose, which allows full-thickness skin graft reconstruction of the defect and an acceptable cosmetic outcome. The utility of nasalis flaps to provide a vascular bed for grafting has not been specifically addressed in the dermatology literature. Our experience with 26 SNAS flaps is outlined to demonstrate the utility of this closure in the appropriate situations. A discussion of the relevant anatomy is followed by an outline of the surgical technique. SNAS flaps provide a reliable vascular bed and contour for defects of the bridge and distal nose. Complications have been few. The SNAS flap and graft are simple to perform and provide a reliable alternative to interpolated nasolabial or forehead flaps when the defect exposes significant bare cartilage or bone.

Nasalis Flap and Graft Repair Provides Reliable Closure for Denuded Defects of the Nose

Background Skin cancer surgery involving the nasal tip and dorsum sometimes results in exposure of underlying bone or cartilage. We describe a simple method of providing a vascular bed for the defect using the superficial nasalis musculoaponeurotic system (SNAS) of the nose, which allows full-thickness skin graft reconstruction of the defect and an acceptable cosmetic outcome. Objective The utility of nasalis flaps to provide a vascular bed for grafting has not been specifically addressed in the dermatology literature. Our experience with 26 SNAS flaps is outlined to demonstrate the utility of this closure in the appropriate situations. Methods A discussion of the relevant anatomy is followed by an outline of the surgical technique. Results SNAS flaps provide a reliable vascular bed and contour for defects of the bridge and distal nose. Complications have been few. Conclusions The SNAS flap and graft are simple to perform and provide a reliable alternative to interpolated nasolabial or forehead flaps when the defect exposes significant bare cartilage or bone.

Full-thickness skin graft reconstruction of nasal tip defects.

Full-thickness skin graft reconstruction of nasal tip defects.