II. Epidemiology
- Coomon among elderly
III. Management: General
- Cleanse wound well and reapproximate flap
- Bandage
- Cover site with non-stick pad or Vaseline Gauze
- Wrap with gauze roll (avoid skin tape)
- Change dressing every 3-5 days
- Other measures
- Control edema
- Avoid Transparent Film Dressing (risk of pulling up flap and skin at time of dressing removal)
IV. Management: Steri-Strip closure technique
- Glue steri-strips parallel to wound edges
- Suture through the steri strips into skin
- Allows for greater strength at wound edge and prevents Suture from tearing through
- Pacifico (2009) J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 62(12): e637-8 [PubMed]
- Glue steri-strips perpendicular to wound edge, across the Laceration (standard use)
- Suture through the steri-strips and traverse the wound as would be done normally
- Davis (2011) J Emerg Med 40(3): 322-3 [PubMed]
- Precautions
- Patient must keep the area clean and dry, and not apply antibiotic ointment to prevent the steri-strips from sloughing
V. References
- Gallentine (2017) Wound Care Update, Park Nicollet Conference, St Louis Park, MN (attended 9/15/2017)