Split Skin Grafting on Severely Damaged Skin

BACKGROUND: Patients with severely damaged skin are more likely to develop skin malignancies. However, suturing following excision of tumors is difficult due to their fragile skin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a technique using butyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in split skin grafts in patients with severely damaged skin. METHOD: The technique was used in 19 patients with 24 skin tumors. Two patients also had multiple skin biopsies to assess the biodegradability of the adhesive. RESULTS: Split skin grafts were applied successfully in all patients. The adhesive was completely absorbed without a foreign body reaction within 6 months. CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in split skin grafting patients with severely damaged skin.