Analysis of Factors That Affect the Outcome of Skin Grafts / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate factors that affect the successful outcome of skin grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and one patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafts were reviewed between March 2000 and March 2008. The mean age of the patients was 39 years (16 to 67 years). The numbers of male and female patients were 63 (62.4%) and 38 (37.6%), respectively. The average follow up period was 8 weeks (2 to 23 weeks). For the analysis, patients were classified by patient factors and wound factors affecting the outcome of skin grafts. The criteria for the successful outcome of skin grafts were as follows over 80% of skin ingestion rate, no exposure of subcutaneous tissue, no distinct signs of infection, and no need for reoperation. Also, statistical analysis was used to identify the correlation between each factor regarding the outcome of each skin graft. RESULTS: The preoperative serum levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) were significantly correlated with the success of skin grafts (p<0.05). The cut-off value of WBC and CRP were 10.500x103/microl and 1.02 mg/dl, respectively. Each factor showed 27.6 and 9.5 times of association strength. CONCLUSION: Among the various factors, the preoperative serum levels of CRP and WBC had significant correlations regarding the successful outcome of skin grafts. This result suggests that those levels can be objective indexes to predict the outcome of skin grafts.