Primary skin closure of a large groin defect after inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer using a skin stretching device.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a method of primary closure of a large skin defect.


METHODS
A 44-year-old man was treated for penile cancer. After left inguinal lymphadenectomy a large skin defect in the groin remained that could not be closed primarily. Allowing skin to stretch beyond its inherent extensibility with a skin stretching system (Sure-Closure) the wound edges were closed without tension.


RESULTS
Primary closure of a large skin defect was possible after cyclic stretching and relaxation of the skin with a skin stretching device.


CONCLUSIONS
Large skin defects can be closed primarily using a skin stretching device. The primary advantage of the procedure are its simplicity and avoidance of the need for more complicated reconstructive surgery.
Melis
P
P
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Bos
K E
KE
Horenblas
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006119:Groin / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000295:instrumentation*