Cosmetic Surgery Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cosmetic Surgery, including details on microsurgery, reconstruction, techniques, risks.

Five years' experience of the modified Meek technique in the management of extensive burns.

Hsieh CS, Schuong JY, Huang WS, Huang TT

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zuoying Armed Forces Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The Meek technique of skin expansion is useful for covering a large open wound with a small piece of skin graft, but requires a carefully followed protocol. METHODS: Over the past 5 years, a skin graft expansion technique following the Meek principle was used to treat 37 individuals who had sustained third degree burns involving more than 40% of the body surface. A scheme was devised whereby the body was divided into six areas, in order to clarify the optimal order of wound debridements and skin grafting procedures as well as the regimen of aftercare. RESULTS: The mean body surface involvement was 72.9% and the mean area of third degree burns was 41%. The average number of operations required was 1.84. There were four deaths among in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Meek technique of skin expansion and the suggested protocol are together efficient and effective in covering an open wound, particularly where there is a paucity of skin graft donor sites.

Published 18 March 2008 in Burns, 34(3): 350-4.
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