Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Apr 2001
Evaluation of a combined calcium sodium alginate and bio-occlusive membrane dressing in the management of split-thickness skin graft donor sites.
The optimal treatment of the split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site remains an unresolved issue. This study was conducted to evaluate the combined use of calcium sodium alginate and a bio-occlusive membrane dressing in the management of STSG donor sites. This study was a prospective evaluation of all patients requiring an STSG over a 6-month period ending October 1998. ⋯ The bio-occlusive dressing eliminated the pain typically associated with fine mesh gauze dressings. The absorptive property of the calcium sodium alginate eliminated the problem of seroma formation and leakage seen routinely with the use of a bio-occlusive dressing alone. These results confirm that this technique is both efficacious and cost-effective.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Apr 2001
Sciatic nerve reconstruction: limb preservation after sarcoma resection.
Limb salvage for extremity sarcoma has become the standard of care when possible. This review attempts to determine the outcome of sciatic nerve reconstruction after surgical tumor resection. The authors' objective was to determine the clinical value of extremity salvage with such a defect. ⋯ With aggressive rehabilitation, some patients are able to function quite well with this bioprosthesis. Patients should consider, however, that their extremity is on loan. Substantial wound complications or infections may ultimately lead to amputation.