ELEVATED COMPARTMENTAL PRESSURES AFTER CLOSURE OF A FOREARM BURN WOUND WITH A SKIN-STRETCHING DEVICE

A case of successful delayed primary closure of an upper extremity ele ctrical blow-out injury is described using nn alternative technique. T he Sure-Closure skin-stretching device(1) tons used for permanent woun d closure following serial debridement to protect the radial artery wh ich was exposed over a distance of 21 cm. This method increases the op tions possible to achieve wound closure. However, the potential risks of this methods include potentially high compartment pressures oner a prolonged time in the postoperative period which requires close monito ring of limb perfusion. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.