NYMC Faculty Publications
A Novel Technique for Wound Closure Using Spanning Sutures to Decrease Graft Size
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1097/XCS.0000000000000630
Journal Title
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
First Page
S89
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2023
Department
Surgery
Abstract
Introduction: The effective closure of large wounds that cannot be primarily closed presents an ongoing surgical challenge. Current strategies such as the purse-suture technique, gradual suture approximation and dynamic dermatotraction, while useful in some contexts, have their drawbacks. Some examples include incomplete closure or dehiscence, painful and prolonged healing, unfavorable cosmetic appearance and restricting wound shape and depth requirements.
Methods: We describe the spanning suture technique, a novel strategy for wound closure that addresses many of these limitations.13 patients of an average age of 47 years old underwent a wound closure operation using the spanning suture technique with subsequent skin grafting from September 2021 to January 2022 at Westchester Medical Center. Results were analyzed retrospectively. Operation characteristics such as the wound location, preoperative wound size, postoperative wound size, after up wound size at 2 and 6 weeks, percent decrease in wound size, postoperative complications and pertinent medical problems were examined.
Results: The grafts demonstrated 100% complete transfer success. The majority of the wounds were located on the extremities. The most common reason for operation was trauma. On average, the percent decrease in wound size after two weeks was 62.41%. One patient experienced superficial necrosis of muscle requiring loosening of the spanning sutures.
Conclusion: The spanning suture technique is shown to be a promising new strategy for wound closure with frank defect size reduction, competitive cosmetic outcomes and maximal grafting success, all while addressing the disadvantages of other current strategies.
Recommended Citation
Levy, L., & Smiley, A. (2023). A Novel Technique for Wound Closure Using Spanning Sutures to Decrease Graft Size. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 236 (5), S89. https://doi.org/10.1097/XCS.0000000000000630
