Split-thickness skin grafting of leg ulcers. The University of Miami Department of Dermatology's experience (1990-1993).
BACKGROUND
Skin grafting for large and recalcitrant lower extremity ulcers is a commonly used therapy. However, the success rate for grafts performed by dermatologists is largely unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze our experience with meshed split-thickness skin grafts for leg ulcers.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed all hospitalized dermatology patients who underwent meshed split-thickness skin grafting for lower extremity ulceration due to a variety of causes performed by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Miami over a 3-year period (1990-1993).


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients with 36 ulcers were grafted. Greater than 90% of ulcers had initial graft take. At long-term follow-up, 52% of ulcers were healed, 26% were partially healed, and 22% recurred.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that meshed split-thickness skin grafting is a safe and effective therapy for recalcitrant lower extremity ulcers.
Kirsner
R S
RS
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.
Mata
S M
SM
Falanga
V
V
Kerdel
F A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods