Derm
Skin Tear
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Skin Tear
, Thin Skin Flap
Epidemiology
Coomon among elderly
Management
Gene
ral
Cleanse wound well and reapproximate flap
Bandage
Cover site with non-stick pad or
Vaseline Gauze
Wrap with gauze roll (avoid skin tape)
Change dressing every 3-5 days
Other measures
Control edema
Avoid
Transparent Film Dressing
(risk of pulling up flap and skin at time of dressing removal)
Management
Steri-Strip closure technique
Glue steri-strips parallel to wound edges
Suture
through the steri strips into skin
Allows for greater strength at wound edge and prevents
Suture
from tearing through
Pacifico (2009) J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 62(12): e637-8 [PubMed]
Glue steri-strips perpendicular to wound edge, across the
Laceration
(standard use)
Suture
through the steri-strips and traverse the wound as would be done normally
Davis (2011) J Emerg Med 40(3): 322-3 [PubMed]
Precautions
Patient must keep the area clean and dry, and not apply antibiotic ointment to prevent the steri-strips from sloughing
References
Gallentine (2017)
Wound
Care Update, Park Nicollet Conference, St Louis Park, MN (attended 9/15/2017)
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