OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application of simple skin traction technique in repair of soft tissue defect of limb. METHODS: From 1999, 42 cases of soft tissue defect of limbs were repaired by simple skin traction technique instantly; the defect area ranged from 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 8.0 cm x 6.5 cm. RESULTS: The soft tissue defect less than 8.0 cm can be sutured instantly. All of the wound achieved primary healing without infection and necrosis of skin edge, the circulation and sensation of limbs were normal; healing time was 10 days to 16 days, 12.8 days on average. Thirty-two cases were followed up for 6 months; the shape and function recovered well. CONCLUSION: Simple skin traction technique is a good option to repair the soft tissue defect of limbs.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the availability and effect of skin stretch in closing the firearm injured soft tissue defect. METHODS: Eight white pigs with firearm injured soft tissue defect were divided into 3 groups. Each group I and group II had 3 pigs which were performed skin stretch. The control group had 2 pigs without stretch. The average diameter of the defect in three groups was (7.3 +/- 0.2) cm, (9.1 +/- 0.3) cm, (7.3 +/- 0.2) cm respectively, and the site of defect was on the lateral thigh and buttock. RESULTS: Skin stretch could make a visible reduction of the wound. It was possible to close the wound by direct traction when the diameter of the buttock wound was less than 7 cm, and when the diameter of the lateral thigh wound was less than the radius of thigh. The skin stretch should not last more than 7 days and the best effect appeared in 4 to 5 days after performing the skin stretch. CONCLUSION: The skin stretch can be applied in the repair of the firearm injured soft tissue defect. It has many advantage compared with the tradtional treatment.
OBJECTIVE To testify the availability and the clinical efficacy of the skin-stretching device. METHODS The skin-stretching device designed by ZHOU Li-an, which was used in the treatment of the granulation wound, the donor site of flap, and the skin defect after the excision of tumor by skin traction technique at the wound edges. RESULTS The usage time of skin-stretching device was 15-720 minutes, it could be used preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively. Followed up 16 cases for 6 to 12 months, the device was effective. CONCLUSION The skin stretching device is practical and effective in wound closure of skin defect.
The experiment performed on domestic pig, was designed to investigate the architecture of the stretching skin and the effect of tension traction on the wound closure. An 7 cm x 3.5 cm was drawn at a standard position. Drawing horizontal and vertical lines on the traction area, points of 1 cm apart were tattooed on the lines. A traction force measuring device was used to draw the wound edges together. Measurements of the distances between the points were made. An 7 cm x 10 cm wound was made on identical sites of each hind leg. In the experiment the traction tension was applied on the edges of wound immediately after the wound debridement. The results showed the stretched distance in the two areas was 5-7 times the width of the wound. The gain of skin from traction was 61-89 percent in the width of the wound. The wounds from traction five days could be closed 5 days after traction. It was concluded that the skin which could be used for traction was abundant. Wound closure with the skin traction technique had many advantages, such as rapid decreasing the size of wound and early closing of wound.
Objective To investigate the application of modified adjustable skin stretching and secure wound-closure system in repairing of skin and soft tissue defect. Methods Between March 2016 and April 2017, 21 cases of skin and soft tissue defects were repaired with the modified adjustable skin stretching and secure wound-closure system (the size of regulating pressure and the times of adjustment were determined according to the color, temperature, capillary response, and swelling degree of the skin edge). There were 11 males and 10 females, with an average age of 49.2 years (range, 21-67 years). Among them, 1 case was the residual wound after amputation of leg; 18 cases were the wounds after traumatic injury operation, including 4 cases in the lower leg, 3 cases in the knee joint, 7 cases in the upper limb, and 4 cases in the foot; and 2 cases were diabetic feet. The skin defect area ranged from 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 21.0 cm×10.0 cm. Results Skin defect wounds closed directly in one stage in 4 cases; 12 cases were closed after continuously stretching for 5-14 days (mean, 10 days); 5 cases were reduced to less than one-half area, and the wound healed after the second skin grafting or flap repairing. All the 21 patients were followed up 3-12 months (mean, 5.2 months). The wound was linear healing with small scar, and no invasive margin, poor blood flow, necrosis, and poor sensory function happened. Conclusion The modified adjustable skin stretching and secure wound-closure system can reduce the skin and soft tissue defects or close the wound directly, and even replace the skin graft and skin flap repairing. It was a good method for the treatment of skin and soft tissue defect.