Delayed primary closure of fasciotomy wounds with Wisebands, a skin- and soft tissue-stretch device.
BACKGROUND
Fasciotomy incisions for limb compartment syndrome usually cannot be closed primarily. The conventional method of wound closure with split-thickness skin grafting is effective, but it results in an insensate and disfiguring wound and is associated with donor site morbidity. We present our experience in delayed primary closure of fasciotomy wounds with Wisebands (WB), a skin- and soft tissue-stretching device.


METHODS
Between 2000 and 2003, we treated 16 patients with extremity fasciotomy wounds for which primary closure was not feasible.


RESULTS
The Wisebands devices achieved controlled stretching of the wound edges, including skin and underlying soft tissue, until primary closure was feasible. Fourteen patients (88%) had successful wound closure, two patients (12%) had minor wound complications that did not necessitate the removal of the device, and two patients had local wound complications (infection, intractable pain) and their devices were removed prematurely. Delayed primary closure was achieved at the initial surgery using intraoperative skin stretching in 3 of the 14 cases (21%). After a 2-year follow-up (1.3-4 years), the treated area showed stable scarring with good aesthetic outcome and no functional deficit.


CONCLUSIONS
The Wisebands device facilitates closure of fasciotomy wounds with low complication rates and good functional and aesthetic outcome. Its application is simple and safe and requires a short learning curve. Nevertheless, appropriate patient selection, intraoperative judgment and close postoperative supervision are essential for optimal results.
Barnea
Yoav
Y
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. barneay@netvision.net.il
Gur
Eyal
E
Amir
Aharon
A
Leshem
David
D
Zaretski
Arik
A
Miller
Ehud
E
Shafir
Raphael
R
Weiss
Jerry
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing