Wound related complications following full thickness skin graft versus split thickness skin graft on patients with bone anchored hearing aids.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to review complications occurring in bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) patients in relation to wound healing following full thickness skin graft versus split thickness skin graft.

DESIGN

Retrospective study. The medical notes of 22 patients who underwent insertion of BAHA over 24 months were reviewed.

SETTING

ENT Department at a District General Hospital in the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients were adults and underwent one stage procedure following the standard Branemark technique. In 11 cases the skin abutment interface was established by use of full thickness skin graft inset around the implant, and in the other 11 by use of split thickness skin graft.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

The incidence of delayed wound healing resulting in an increase of number of visits for change of wound dressings. In addition the degree of soft tissue reactions around the interface was examined.

RESULTS

There was a clear difference between the split and full thickness skin graft groups in relation to the severity of adverse skin reactions and number of visits required for change of dressings. The split thickness group required from three minimum to 13 maximum (median 4) visits in outpatients during the initial observation period until healing was complete. The full thickness group demonstrated one minimum and three maximum (median 2) visits.

CONCLUSIONS

In our hands the full thickness skin graft is superior to a split thickness graft.