An Alternative Method for Closure of Fasciotomy Wounds: Healing by Secondary Intention

Although healing wounds by secondary intention is not a new method for wound closure, its application and superior outcome in certain clinical situations is often overlooked. We describe the management and care of large bulging wounds after lower limb fasciotomy in two patients. By allowing the wounds to heal by secondary intention, the patients are discharged from the hospital sooner resulting in a reduced length of stay; in addition they avoid repeated trips to the operating room, and circumvent unnecessary additional scarring that can result from skin grafting. This procedure offers many additional benefits to the patients including the benefit of a normal contour to the extremity and a more rapid return to daily activities following discharge from the hospital. Four-year postoperative follow up examination of the patients in this report revealed improved outcomes as exhibited by no additional need for operations, excellent healing, and minimal scarring.