Premium
VS17P
‘PINCH SKIN GRAFTING – THE FORGOTTEN AID IN WOUND HEALING’– TEN YEAR EXPERIENCE IN A RURAL HOSPITAL
Author(s) -
Lamont P. M.,
Ashrafi M. W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04134_17.x
Subject(s) - medicine , skin grafting , surgery , grafting , wound healing , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer
Purpose To assess the efficacy of ‘Pinch Grafting’ on chronic ulcers, many which are vascular in origin (Arterial or Venous). Retrospectively and prospectively our experience will be presented. Methodology Over the last ten years chronic leg ulcers (15 cases a year) have been grafted in North West Regional Hospital, Mersey Campus, Tasmania. Age of these patients extends from 56 to 91 with a median age of 79. Most of these cases are grafted as outpatients and some of them done in wards, while the patient is admitted for other comorbid problems. Pinch grafts are done invariably with local anaesthetic. Pricking the anesthetized area (donor area) with a 22 needle a disc of 2–3 mm skin is tented and sliced by a no 20 blade, keeping tangential to skin surface. Discs are placed on the floor of prepared ulcers 4–5 mm apart. Many cases remain ambulant. Results 95% of the grafts take on 1st attempt and another 3% on the second attempt. No patient had any limitation for their comorbid problems. It was very easy to do: most junior staff of the team can do the procedure successfully. Conclusion Pinch skin grafts have been used for many of these patients with encouraging results. Pinch Grafting is a cost effective tool for healing chronic ulcers.1 Factors influencing wound healing are multiple. 2 No particular dressing material is outstanding. 3 Pinch graft for chronic ulcers is a very practical and effective treatment. 4 Patient acceptance is high. 5 Very cost effective. 6 Can be given to GPs to use it as a primary care tool.