Rapid Pearls: Surgery on Thin Skin

Doctor Maggie Chow, an Assistant Professor of Moe's surgery at the University of Southern California, presented strategies for managing wound closures on thin skin, which can be challenging due to its fragility caused by factors such as aging and sun damage. She shared two main techniques to improve closures: using sutures in conjunction with adhesive dressings like wound closure strips and employing horizontal mattress sutures. The first technique helps distribute tension across the adhesive surface, reducing stress on the skin, while the second technique effectively spreads the force over a larger area, minimizing the risk of tearing. By using horizontal mattress sutures, the edges of the skin can be aligned better, enhancing healing. Chow emphasized the importance of these methods not only for efficiency and patient comfort but also for promoting faster healing compared to granulation tissue formation. Her presentation concluded by encouraging the integration of these approaches in future surgical practices to improve outcomes for patients with delicate skin.