Early versus delayed skin coverage for traumatic skin defects

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of early and delayed skin coverage in traumatic skin loss. The study included 77 patients with age ranged from 3 to 65 years. Skin loss was associated with fracture in 54 cases [70%]. The majority of cases had skin loss of 10-50 cm2. Skin coverage by split thickness skin graft or flap was performed early in 40 cases and delayed in 37 cases. The success rate was almost the same in the two groups [80% in the early covered cases and 76% in the delayed covered cases]. However, the rate of complications was higher in the delayed covered group [31%] than in the early covered group [18%]. The rates of infection, osteomyelitis and delayed union were also higher in the delayed covered group