The Coriotome—A New Hand-Held Device for Trimming of Skin Grafts
Authors: Kasten, Robert1; Voigtländer, Volker1
Source: Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 30, Number 5, May 2004 , pp. 787-791(5)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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Abstract:
Background. Skin grafts require a meticulous removal of subcutaneous fat from their underside to ensure their survival at the recipient site. Often a dermal layer is trimmed as well to improve the take of a skin graft or to adapt its thickness to the depth of a defect. Objective. The authors present a new hand-held surgical device, the coriotome, that permits trimming a skin graft more evenly and in a considerably shorter period of time than by applying the conventional method using surgical scissors or a scalpel. Results. A total of 154 skin grafts (98 from preauricular, 45 from supraclavicular, and 11 from inguial donor sites) were trimmed with the coriotome to a desired thickness. In 2 cases minor lacerations (<3 mm) of skin grafts occurred as a result of an inappropriate use. Conclusion. The coriotome permits a fast and safe trimming of skin grafts.ROBERT KASTEN, MD, AND VOLKER VOIGTLÄNDER, MD WERE PROVIDED WITH TWO CORIOTOMES AND FUNDING TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF THIS INSTRUMENT. DR. KASTEN'S FATHER HOLDS A PATENT ON THE CORIOTOME.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30218.x
Affiliations: 1: Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany
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