Mahmoud SM, Mohamed AA, Mahdi SE, Ahmed ME, et al.
Journal of wound care. Date of publication 2008 Jul 1;volume 17(7):303-6.
1. J Wound Care. 2008 Jul;17(7):303-6.
Split-skin graft in the management of diabetic foot ulcers.
Mahmoud SM(1), Mohamed AA, Mahdi SE, Ahmed ME.
Author information:
(1)Soba University Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. abdelsamieabdalla@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of split-thickness skin grafts versus a
conservative wound dressing on the healing times of diabetic foot ulcers and the
length of hospital stay.
METHOD: In this prospective case-controlled study, 50 patients consented to skin
grafting (graft group) and 50 preferred to be managed by conservative dressings
(control group). Wound management in both groups was standardised with regard to
the dressing materials (which comprised a multilayer dressing including paraffin
gauze and diluted povidone-iodine soaked gauze), wound care and surgeon
involvement. Graft take, ulcer recurrence rate and donor-site morbidity were
assessed. Healing times and the length of hospital stay were compared between the
two groups.
RESULTS: A 100% skin graft take was recorded in 84% of the patients on the fifth
postoperative day and in 62% on weeks 3 and 8. All patients in the graft group
healed completely, but 8% had an ulcer recurrence and 4% a superficial infection
within the following year. The mean healing time and mean length of hospital stay
were significantly less in the graft group compared with the control group
(p<0.001), reflecting results of similar studies.
CONCLUSION: Split-skin grafting is an effective method of managing diabetic foot
ulcers as, compared with the conservative dressings used in this study, it
reduced healing times and the length of hospital stay, while donor-site morbidity
was minimal.
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2008.17.7.30522
PMID: 18705232 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
