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CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2014; 41(02): 126-132
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2014.41.2.126
Original Article

A Simple Strategy in Avulsion Flap Injury: Prediction of Flap Viability Using Wood's Lamp Illumination and Resurfacing with a Full-thickness Skin Graft

Hyoseob Lim
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea
,
Dae Hee Han
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
,
Il Jae Lee
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
,
Myong Chul Park
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
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Background Extensive degloving injuries of the extremities usually result in necrosis of the flap, necessitating comprehensive skin grafting. Provided there is a sufficient tool to evaluate flap viability, full-thickness skin can be used from a nonviable avulsed flap. We used a Wood's lamp to determine the viability of avulsed flaps in the operation field after intravenous injection of fluorescein dye.

Methods We experienced 13 cases during 16 months. Fifteen minutes after the intravenous injection of fluorescein dye, the avulsed skin flaps were examined and non-fluorescent areas were marked under Wood's lamp illumination. The marked area was defatted for full-thickness skin grafting. The fluorescent areas were sutured directly without tension. The non-fluorescent areas were covered by defatted skin. Several days later, there was soft tissue necrosis within the flap area. We measured necrotic area and revised the flap.

Results Among all the cases, necrotic area was 21.3% of the total avulsed area. However, if we exclude three cases, one of a carelessly managed patient and two cases of the flaps were inappropriately applied, good results were obtained, with a necrotic area of only 8.4%. Eight patients needed split-thickness skin grafts, and heel pad reconstruction was performed with free flap.

Conclusions A full-thickness skin graft from an avulsed flap is a good method for addressing aesthetic concerns without producing donor site morbidity. Fluorescein dye is a useful, simple, and cost-effective tool for evaluating flap viability. Avulsed flap injuries can be managed well with Wood's lamp illumination and a full-thickness skin graft.

Keywords

Tissue survival - Dermis - Skin transplantation - Soft tissue injuries - Extremities


Publication History

Received: 11 June 2013

Accepted: 08 August 2013

Article published online:
02 May 2022

© 2014. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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