What question did this study set out to answer?

This research examines the surgical management and outcomes of open degloving injuries in extremities. It aims to identify effective treatment strategies and associated complications.

June 1, 2026Open Access

Surgical management and outcomes of open degloving injuries of the extremities: a retrospective cohort study at a Level II trauma center

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Early multidisciplinary surgical management of open degloving injuries of the extremities is associated with high limb salvage rates and acceptable complication profiles. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Key Points

This research examines the surgical management and outcomes of open degloving injuries in extremities. It aims to identify effective treatment strategies and associated complications.
Conducted a retrospective cohort study of 28 patients at a Level II trauma center from 2020 to 2024.
Analyzed demographics, injury characteristics, interventions, and outcomes using chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests and nonparametric methods.
Patients underwent various surgical interventions, including primary and serial debridement, negative pressure wound therapy, skin grafting, and flap reconstruction.
40.7% of patients experienced complications, with necrosis in 18.5% and infection in 11.1%.
The median hospital stay was 7 days, reflecting the recovery process.
Early multidisciplinary surgical management correlated with high limb salvage rates and acceptable complication profiles.

Abstract

Open degloving injuries are severe soft-tissue traumas associated with ischemia, infection, and poor functional outcomes. Due to heterogeneous presentations, standardized management protocols remain limited. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 28 consecutive patients with open degloving injuries of the extremities treated at a Level II trauma center between 2020 and 2024. Demographics, injury characteristics, surgical interventions, and outcomes were analyzed using chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests and nonparametric methods. Median age was 49 years, and 57.1% were male. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism (40.7%), with 56.7% involving upper extremities. All but one patient underwent surgical management. Primary debridement was performed in 51.9%, serial debridement in 33.3%, and negative pressure wound therapy in 63.0%. Skin grafting (22.2%) and flap reconstruction (14.8%) were used for definitive closure. Complications occurred in 40.7%, most commonly necrosis (18.5%) and infection (11.1%). Median hospital stay was 7 days. Early multidisciplinary surgical management is associated with high limb salvage rates and acceptable complication profiles. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to establish standardized treatment algorithms.

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