Sutureless Burow's Graft Using Adhesive Skin Tape (Steri-strip(R)) / 대한피부과학회지

Immobilization of skin grafts on the recipient bed is essential for graft survival. There are several methods of securing skin grafts to the recipient wound bed. Classically, nylon basting sutures and a tie-over bolster dressing are commonly used. This method is currently recognized to ensure that the full thickness skin grafts "take"; however, this method is complicated and time-consuming. Moreover, suturing in this manner may also pull the edges of the skin with too much tension, cause elevation and crater-like deformity and suture marks. We experienced two cases of sutureless Burow's graft using skin tapes to reconstruct a skin defect after Moh's micrographic surgery. Instead of the conventional method, the Steri-strip(R) was used to fix the graft and a light compressive dressing with dry gauze and Tegaderm(R) was applied over the graft. This method has the advantage of being convenient to apply and remove, time-saving and inexpensive. Therefore, we recommend the use of the sutureless method using skin tape as an alternative to suturing small skin grafts, and particularly for the relatively immobile areas on the face.

Usefulness of Early Suture Removal Using Adhesive Skin Tape in Appendectomy

PURPOSE: Despite plenty of evidence that the healing of skin wounds is fostered by the use of skin tape and early suture removal, the technique has not been widely practiced. In order to investigate the combined technique of early suture removal using skin tape, we compared it with conventional suture removal. METHODS: We analyzed, retrospectively, 260 patients who underwent on appendectomy during 1999 to compare the two methods on the basis of age, sex, wound infection by class and incision type, cosmetic effect, and other suture site complication, including seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, and pain. RESULTS: Out of these 260 patients, 124 had conventional suture removal while 136 had early suture removal using skin tape. In the group of early suture removal using skin tape, there were a lower incidence of seroma, hematoma, and wound infection, a shorter period of postoperative wound pain, and superior cosmetic results and patient acceptability. CONCLUSION: We have found the combined technique to have advantages that produce a lower incidence of wound complication with a superior cosmetic result and an excellent patient acceptance.