Warfarin-induced skin necrosis: an entity occasionally requiring burn wound expertise.
We describe a severe case of warfarin-induced skin necrosis with extensive full-thickness tissue loss involving approximately 12 per cent of the body surface area. The early management was conservative, with wound observation only, and no aggressive débridement was attempted. Wound and associated systemic sepsis followed, and the patient was transferred to our burn unit. The wounds were then managed with aggressive therapy including surgical excision, temporary coverage with allograft, and final closure with split-thickness autograft. This case illustrates important principles of appropriate surgical management of extensive skin lesions of this type.
Dominic
W
W
Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Hansbrough
J F
JF
Field
T O
TO
Carroll
W B
WB
D002053:Burn Units; D003422:Critical Care; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy
D014859:Warfarin