TY - JOUR
T1 - Long-term results of wounds closed under a significant amount of tension
AU - Melis, Paris
AU - van Noorden, Cornelis J. F.
AU - van der Horst, Chantal M. A. M.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Background: The authors present the long-term follow-up of scars on various locations up to 7 years postoperatively, after closure of large skin defects with the use of a skin-stretching device. Methods: In a prospective, nonrandomized study of 30 patients whose initial wound could not be closed primarily without using a significant amount of tension, a complete follow-up of 24 cases was possible. Patients were observed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at long-term follow-up (mean, 7 years) for wound control and scar evaluation. Results: In 28 cases (93 percent), successful closure of a large defect was achieved. In the other two cases, a split-thickness skin graft was needed for wound closure. With respect to long-term scar formation after 7 years (24 cases), scarring was observed mainly on the scalp (average, 56 percent), back (average, 52 percent), and shoulder (average, 53 percent). On the extremities, including thigh and groin, there was significantly less scarring (p = 0.0004; average, 10 percent). Three weeks after the operation, 23 percent of the total scar formation had already occurred, whereas 57 percent occurred by 3 months postoperatively and 83 percent occurred by 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the considerable difference in scar formation among scalp, back, and shoulder defects compared with those on the extremities, groin, and thigh
AB - Background: The authors present the long-term follow-up of scars on various locations up to 7 years postoperatively, after closure of large skin defects with the use of a skin-stretching device. Methods: In a prospective, nonrandomized study of 30 patients whose initial wound could not be closed primarily without using a significant amount of tension, a complete follow-up of 24 cases was possible. Patients were observed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at long-term follow-up (mean, 7 years) for wound control and scar evaluation. Results: In 28 cases (93 percent), successful closure of a large defect was achieved. In the other two cases, a split-thickness skin graft was needed for wound closure. With respect to long-term scar formation after 7 years (24 cases), scarring was observed mainly on the scalp (average, 56 percent), back (average, 52 percent), and shoulder (average, 53 percent). On the extremities, including thigh and groin, there was significantly less scarring (p = 0.0004; average, 10 percent). Three weeks after the operation, 23 percent of the total scar formation had already occurred, whereas 57 percent occurred by 3 months postoperatively and 83 percent occurred by 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the considerable difference in scar formation among scalp, back, and shoulder defects compared with those on the extremities, groin, and thigh
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000195080.65662.f5
DO - https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000195080.65662.f5
M3 - Article
C2 - 16404277
SN - 0032-1052
VL - 117
SP - 259
EP - 265
JO - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
JF - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
IS - 1
ER -