Elevated compartmental pressures after closure of a forearm burn wound with a skin-stretching device.
A case of successful delayed primary closure of an upper extremity electrical blow-out injury is described using an alternative technique. The Sure-Closure skin-stretching device was used for permanent wound closure following serial debridement to protect the radial artery which was exposed over a distance of 21 cm. This method increases the options possible to achieve wound closure. However, the potential risks of this method include potentially high compartment pressures over a prolonged time in the postoperative period which requires close monitoring of limb perfusion.
Hussmann
J
J
Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA.
Kucan
J O
JO
Zamboni
W A
WA
D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000601:surgery*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology