Fixation of skin grafts in the horse using stainless steel staples.

This research article discusses a successful procedure used to treat chronic leg wounds in horses. The treatment involved the use of small skin grafts, fixed onto adhesive tape and then attached to the wound area using stainless steel staples, with a pressure bandage applied over the wound for immobilization.

Treatment Method

• The researchers worked on three horses that all had a chronic wound on the lower part of a leg.
• Small pieces of split skin grafts were taken and then attached onto pieces of adhesive tape. This method of graft preparation allowed for better handling and application of the grafts on the wound surface.
• The taped grafts were spread over the wound, which was covered by granulation tissue – new connective tissue and small blood vessels that form on the surface of a wound during the healing process.

Fixation and Immobilization

• The graft was secured to the granulation surface using stainless steel staples. This ensured the graft stayed in place during the healing process.
• After successful fixing the graft, a tightly-bound pressure bandage, inclusive of highly compressed cellular rubber was then applied over the wound. This created an environment for the graft to fuse properly with the granulation tissue underneath.
• The combination of staple fixation and strong pressure from the bandage proved effective in immobilizing the skin grafts.

Pre-requisites and Limitations

• Key to the success of the grafting procedure was the presence of a firm covering of granulation tissue on the surface of the wound. This provided a solid base for graft attachment and assimilation.
• The researchers recommended that this technique is not ideal for fresh wounds, clearly stating it as a limitation. This is because fresh wounds have yet to develop the necessary layer of granulation tissue needed for graft fixation.