Delayed Full-Thickness Grafting of Lower Leg Defects following Removal of Skin Malignancies

BACKGROUND: Closure of wounds on the lower leg can be difficult. If primary closure of local flap repair cannot be accomplished, grafting is usually the next option. Full-thickness grafts are, generally superior to split-thickness grafts, but may not survive immediate postoperative grafting on the lower leg. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to demonstrate another approach to treatment of lower leg wounds. METHODS: Thirteen patients with lower leg wounds were successfully closed with a delayed full-thickness skin graft. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that delayed full-thickness grafting of the lower extremities may have advantages over other methods.