An alternate approach for surgical dressing of bone-anchored hearing aid abutment sites.
OBJECTIVE
To present an alternative surgical dressing for bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) abutment sites, comparing it with the manufacturer's recommended "healing cap" in terms of split thickness skin graft (STSG) survival.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 30 patients who underwent unilateral BAHA implantation at a tertiary referral center. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the surgical dressing for the BAHA abutment site. Group 1 had a "healing cap" dressing, and group 2 had a bolster dressing. STSG survival was evaluated.


RESULTS
Between May 2002 and July 2006, 30 patients underwent BAHA implantation. Seven patients received the "healing cap" dressing, and 23 patients received the bolster dressing. There was 100% STSG survival in the bolster dressing group and 71% skin graft survival in the healing cap group (P = .048).


CONCLUSIONS
A traditional bolster dressing had improved STSG survival as compared with the manufacturer's recommended "healing cap." Additional benefits of a bolster are that it is maintenance free, well suited for noncompliant patients, and inexpensive.
Falcone
Michael T
MT
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Labadie
Robert F
RF
D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000191:economics; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D053441:Suture Anchors; D014945:Wound Healing