S. Davidson, K. Lun
Background: Repair of lower extremity excision defects poses a surgical challenge, and as a result split-thickness skin grafting is often used to close large defects. By minimising the size of the defect, a smaller graft can be used and this may translate into improvements in wound healing and the aesthetic outcome.
Objective: To demonstrate, using a mathematical model,
how to decrease the surface area requiring split thickness
skin grafting of excisions on lower extremities.
Methods: Four patients had cutaneous neoplasms excised
from their lower legs. The resulting defects underwent
partial primary closure with removal of Burows’ triangle.
The new dimensions of the defect were recorded and
surface area of pre- and post-primary closure calculated.
Results: Modest decreases in the dimensions of the ovoid/
ellipsoid defect translated to large decreases in the surface
area requiring split-thickness skin graft repair.
Conclusion: We have quantifi ed using a mathematical
model, how it is possible to decrease the size of an excision
site. This reduction in surface area may translate to benefi ts
in a patients post-operative outcomes.