Dermatotraction: A Retrospective Study on its Effectiveness in the Closure of Soft Tissue Leg Defects

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Pablo Carranza
Faustino Krause
Adali Otero
José Luis Bottarelli
Federico Plana

Abstract

Introduction: Viscoelasticity is a distinctive characteristic of the human skin. A constant force pulling on the skin and subcutaneous tissue allows it to cover exposed areas in relatively short periods of time. The objective of this study is to analyze a series of cases with soft tissue leg defects where integumentary closure was accomplished with a skin stretching technique using ‘tractionbands’ in order to determine which injuries can benefit from this treatment.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive, longitudinal study carried out in the period between 2012 and 2019. The inclusion criteria for this study were: 1) wounds with a soft-tissue coverage deficit in the leg of diverse traumatic etiology (surgical wound dehiscence, fasciotomies due to compartment syndrome, open fractures, and open wounds with soft tissue deficit).
Results: 36 patients (mean age: 28 years) with injuries with loss of coverage in different regions of the leg were analyzed. Closure was achieved in 27 patients (75%), without the need for additional procedures. In three patients (8.3%), the exposed area was reduced, requiring skin grafting as a complementary procedure. Six patients required myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous soft tissue reconstructive procedures.
Conclusions: This technique is effective, simple, and economical for closing complex wounds and/or fasciotomies. Dermatotraction allows closure a few days after the trauma.

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How to Cite
Carranza, P., Krause, F., Otero, A., Bottarelli, J. L., & Plana, F. (2024). Dermatotraction: A Retrospective Study on its Effectiveness in the Closure of Soft Tissue Leg Defects. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 89(2), 150-157. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2024.89.2.1805
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Pablo Carranza, Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Privado SADIV, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Chief of Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Privado SADIV, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Faustino Krause, Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Adali Otero, Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

José Luis Bottarelli, Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Federico Plana, Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery Department, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Prof. Dr. Luis Güemes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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