Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fixation of skin grafts in the horse using stainless steel staples.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1979
- Authors:
- Funkquist, B & Obel, N
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, three horses with long-lasting wounds on their lower legs were treated successfully using skin grafts. The veterinarians attached small pieces of skin to adhesive tape and secured them to the wound area with stainless steel staples. They then applied a tight bandage to keep everything in place. The researchers found that this method worked well because it kept the grafts stable, but they emphasized that it should only be used on wounds that have already developed granulation tissue (a healing tissue), not on new wounds. Overall, the treatment was effective in helping the horses heal.
Abstract
Three horses with a chronic wound on the distal part of a leg were treated successfully by grafting. Small split skin grafts were fixed onto pieces of adhesive tape. The tape pieces were spread over and fixed to the granulation surface with stainless steel staples. A tight pressure bandage including strongly compressed cellular rubber was then applied over the wound. The combination of staple fixation and strong pressure proved effective in immobilising the skin graft. It was stressed that a firm covering of granulation tissue was a prerequisite for success and therefore the technique should not be used for fresh wounds.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/383478/