IngentaConnect The CoriotomeA 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)

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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The Coriotome—A New Hand-Held Device for Trimming of Skin Grafts