Reconstruction with Sutureless Burow's Graft Using Adhesive Skin Tape (Steri-strip(R)) for Cutaneous Defect after Skin Surgery

Cho, Yong Sun; Lee, Ju Hyung; Yi, Ji Hyun; Park, Jin; Yun, Seok Kweon; Kim, Han Uk

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There are various methods of reconstruction of cutaneous surgical defect after removal of skin tumor, and skin graft is frequently used. Classically, in full-thickness skin graft (FTSG), nylon basting sutures with a tie-over bolster dressing are used in securing skin graft to the recipient wound bed, but this method is complicated, time-consuming, and may cause complications.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an adhesive skin tape (Steri-strip(R)) for securing a graft without suture when performing a Burow's skin graft, one of the types of FTSG.
METHODS
We conducted a case-controlled retrospective study. A total of 45 patients (total 46 cases) treated with Burow's skin graft after removal of skin tumor between May 2006 and August 2010 were enrolled in this study, and grafts were secured with Steri-strip(R) (case, n=26) or conventional tie-over bolster dressings (control, n=20). The cosmetic results were scored at 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation. Also, the size and depth of the defect were measured and the run-time of the operation for the skin graft was checked.
RESULTS
The operation time for the Steri-strip(R) group was significantly less than for the conventional tie-over bolster dressing group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed between the groups with regards to age, sex, location, size, depth of the defect, prevalence of complications, and scored cosmetic results at 6 months after operation (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Sutureless Burow's graft with skin tape required less time than the conventional method with a similar cosmetic result. Thus we suggest that sutureless Burow's graft with skin tape may be an easy and useful method to reconstruct the defect after skin surgery.