[Management of extensive closed internal degloving injury].
OBJECTIVE
To study the management of extensive closed internal degloving injury (CIDI).


METHODS
From September 1987 to October 1999, 18 cases of CIDI were retrospectively reviewed. Of 18 cases, there were 7 cases in thigh, 6 cases in legs and 5 cases in pelvis, ranging from 15 cm x 12 cm to 38 cm x 25 cm in size. Various managements were adopted according to the severity of the injury, including vacuum drainage and adjuvant compression in 5 cases, regrafting of defatting fenestrated full-thickness skin by non-resection in 8 cases, and skin grafting with transfer of myocutaneous flap in 5 cases. Among them, there were 11 cases of bone and articular fixation or repair, 4 cases of principal vessels repair. All of the cases were evaluated clinically and followed up for 6 months to 3 years.


RESULTS
In the 8 cases repaired by regrafting of defatting fenestrated full-thickness skin, only one case of skin necrosis, 5 cm x 2 cm in size, recovered after skin grafting; the others healed well. All of the patients recovered normal life and had normal limbs.


CONCLUSIONS
It's crucial to make a careful assessment about the injury severity of CIDI, to stress on importance of management of both CIDI and deep injury, and to choose proper options after comprehensive assessment of the injury.
Zhang
Kui
K
Department of Traumatology, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, P. R. China 400014.
Tian
Xian-yang
XY
Gao
Jing-mou
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps