title: Efficacy and complication rates of full-thickness skin graft repair of lower extremity wounds after Mohs micrographic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repair of below-the-knee lower extremity defects after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) that are not amenable to primary closure can be challenging given the high propensity for complications. No criterion standard exists for management of these wounds, but secondary-intention healing, partial- and full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs), and various flaps are possible options to manage these wounds. Few data exist on the efficacy of FTSG repairs for lower extremity wounds.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess the efficacy and complications rates of FTSG repairs for lower extremity wounds after MMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of 80 FTSG repairs performed after MMS. Data were derived from 45 cases at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and 35 cases at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two of 80 cases (90%) had full graft survival, six (7.5%) had partial failure, and two (2.5%) had complete failure. In the cases where grafts had failed, wounds healed by secondary intention without further complications. Other complications included infections in nine (11%) cases and hematoma formation in two (2.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FTSG is a consistent and safe reconstructive option for the management of lower extremity wounds after MMS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California; Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, Santa Rosa, California.
authors.forename: Gagik
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oganesyan
authors.forename: Abel D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Jarell
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.forename: Shang I Brian
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects