• Focus on outcomes in regional surgical centres • Examination of real-life usage of fixation techniques used in split thickness skin grafting • Comparisons of demographics for split thickness skin grafts for differing indications : Current literature on split skin grafts lacks real use data and focuses on metropolitan centres where patients predominantly undergo split skin grafting for burns. Evidence suggests that there may be a significant disparity in demographics and complications for regional populations with a high incidence of skin cancer. Novel fixation techniques may affect outcomes but has not been studied in this population. : To understand the patient demographics and surgical indications for split skin grafting in a regional setting; examine usage of skin graft affixation techniques and identify risks for graft complications. : Cross-sectional data collection of the use of split skin grafting in a single regional centre for one year was performed. STATA 16 statistical software was used for the examination of demographic data including postcode analyses of time travelled to hospital and multivariate analyses of graft complications. : The population in the regional centre studied was older (64.64 years SD 17.08) than published populations of burns patients; comorbid (82.31% with at least one comorbidity); and 71.71% of grafts were for skin cancer. Patients travelled longer distances than the average patient within the same state to access services. Grafts for chronic wounds were more likely to have multiple complications, and peripheral vascular disease significantly increased the odds of infection (OR 4.2, p 0.03, CI 1.12-15.82). : Studies conducted in large metropolitan centres are not always relevant to regional populations. Specific research must be conducted to support clinical decision-making in choice of split skin graft affixation techniques in these populations.
Ekta et al. (Wed,) studied this question.