[Comparison of skin complications between dermatome and U-graft technique in BAHA surgery].
OBJECTIVE
The most common postoperative complications related to BAHA prosthetic surgery are skin complications. In this study we compare and evaluate these reactions with two different surgical techniques, the BAHA dermatome and the U-graft technique.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients who underwent implantation of a BAHA at our hospital between 2001 and 2008 were studied. The comparison of the skin reactions was carried out according to Holgers' classification. We also recorded the number of cures required until the skin was stabilized.


RESULTS
We used the dermatome in 27 patients and the U-graft in 26 patients. In the dermatome group we have reported a total of 74% of skin reactions (20 patients), in contrast with the 34% (9 patients) observed in the U-graft group. The average number of cures for patients in the dermatome group and those in the U-graft group was 4.1 and 2.7, respectively. The differences found were statistically significant and had a 95% confidence interval.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, the use of the electric dermatome in BAHA surgery offers a higher incidence of skin complications in comparison with the U-graft technique. Since both techniques have a number of advantages and disadvantages, it may be that the selection of the technique to be employed according the individual characteristics of each patient may offer better results in the future.
Tamarit Conejeros
José Manuel
JM
Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España. manutamaritet@hotmail.com <manutamaritet@hotmail.com>
Dalmau Galofre
José
J
Murcia Puchades
Virginia
V
Pons Rocher
Francisco
F
Fernández Martínez
Sergio
S
Estrems Navas
Paloma
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult