Isotopic Split-skin Graft for Resurfacing of Deliberate Self-harm Scars

Abstract

Summary:We present a novel surgical approach for the revision of deliberate self-harm scars. The isotopic skin graft technique employs the harvest of a thin split-skin graft from the affected area, excision and closure of wide dermal scars with replacement of the graft back onto the harvest site. We present the sequential steps of the surgical technique and a case series of 2 patients treated with our novel approach.

S2k guidelines for the therapy of pathological scars (hypertrophic scars and keloids) – Update 2020

“…Very thin “isotopic” split skin grafts, harvested in the area of the scar before excision of the dermal scars and subsequently re‐positioned in loco , may be used for extensive hypertrophic scars. There is a recent description of this technique for scars after self‐injury [11].…”

Treatment of Self-Harm Scars: A Scoping Review

“…At 18-and 24-month follow-up, both patients endorsed satisfaction with their results. 14 Takaya and colleagues describe the treatment of selfharm scars in 5 of their patients using rotated thin-skin grafting on their forearms. Skin grafts were obtained at a thickness of 250 mm from the scarred sites using an electric dermatome, placed on a plastic plate, and scars were excised using a scalpel blade.…”

S2k‐Leitlinie Therapie pathologischer Narben (hypertrophe Narben und Keloide) –Update 2020

“…Sehr dünne „isotope“ Spalthauttransplantate gehoben am Narbenareal vor Exzision der dermalen Narben mit anschließender Reposition in loco können bei großflächigen hypertrophen Narben angewendet werden. Sie wurden aktuell beschrieben zur Behandlung von Selbstverletzungsnarben [11].…”