ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the clinical effects of adjustable traction skin stretchers used in repair of wounds at the lower leg, foot and ankle.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical data of 56 patients who had been treated for skin defects at the lower leg, foot and ankle from August 2016 to September 2022 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Honghui Hospital, Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Polytechnic University, and Yunnan Zhongde Orthopedic Hospital. There were 35 males and 21 females, aged (39.9±18.7) years. There were 43 traumatic wounds, 3 burns, 6 inflammatory wounds, 3 relief incisions due to osteofascial compartment syndrome, and 1 scar. The areas of skin defect ranged from 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 20.0 cm × 10.0 cm. The duration of wounds was (8.6±7.8) d. All the wounds were repaired with adjustable traction skin stretchers. The row-hook type of skin stretchers was used in 28 cases, the single-rod type in 20 cases, the single-rod type combined with an external fixator in 5 cases, and a combination of the row-hook type and the single-rod type in 3 cases.The time for wound traction closure, color of wound skin margin, skin swelling around the wound, functional recovery of affected limb and complications were recorded.Results:The time from skin stretching to wound closure was (7.8±3.8) d in the 56 patients. The color of wound skin edge after stretching was normal in 16 cases, dark red in 38 cases, and dark in 2 cases; the skin swelling around the wound was degree 1 in 21 cases, degree 2 in 33 cases, and degree 3 in 2 cases. The 56 patients were followed up for (8.9±4.1) months. Primary wound closure was achieved in 48 patients, and secondary wound closure in 8 patients after repair with an autologous skin graft. Partial skin necrosis occurred due to tension blisters after skin stretching in 2 patients, one of whom was repaired with an autologous skin graft and the other of whom by dressing change. Deep bone infection recurred in 2 patients whose wounds healed after their bone defects were repaired using Ilizarov technique of bone transfer. In the 56 patients, the muscle strength of the lower extremity beyond the wound was recovered to normal, and the range of motion of the joints adjacent to the wound also recovered to normal.Conclusion:In repair of wounds at the lower leg, foot and ankle, adjustable traction skin stretchers can lead to fine clinical effects and limited complications, because the stretchers can control the tension of skin digitally and precisely.