Treatment for Traumatic Skin and Soft Tissue Defects around the Foot and Ankle

Abstract

We investigated 12 patients suffering traumatic skin and soft tissue defects around the foot and ankle. The twelve patients included eight males and four females ranging in age from 2 to 78 years old. No patient had injured their soles. All patients finally healed without flap surgery. Five patients were treated with open wet dressing therapy alone. Four patients were treated with both open wet dressing therapy and skin graft. We consider open wet dressing therapy as the first line therapy. Second line therapy includes surgical treatment and it is important to consult the dermatology or plastic surgery departments.