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Suggest Remedies For Persistent Large Wound On Leg

Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2016

Question: What can be done to heal, repair missing skin on a leg? It was a motorbike accident ...a burn. A chunk of skin is missing approx. 1.5 inches by a 1/2 inch.

The gap of skin is too wide and deep to stitch together ...I don't know if you can see the image I attached.

Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Deep injury likely to heal by scarring

Detailed Answer:
Hello My Dear Madam

Welcome with your query.

I am Dr V XXXXXXX a Sr Dermatologist.
I have seen the attached pic and noted your concerns. Keeping all the facts in mind, I think that if possible and if the injury has been recent, then stitches can be considered for best overall results.

However, if that is not an option, then allowing the injury to heal by natural way is the way out. In the meantime, one is required to maintain good hygiene, and adequate antibiotic cover and painkillers if necessary. Mupirocin for local use and Amoxy-Clav 625 mg twice a day orally are good antibiotics.

Once the injury has healed the scar can be repaired if at all necessary.

I hope this information will help you in relieving the concerns that you have.

Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. VINAY KUMAR (10 minutes later)

Thanks for the answer. I have a couple other questions. First off, this is my girlfriend who is in the Philipines and she is on her way now to see the doctor. She sent him the photo and he told her he doesn't think that stitches are an option. I think he told her surgery perhaps? If you do surgery, is that a skin graft? And how is a skin graft done? One last thing. If you just keep it clean and let it heal, will the hole grow skin back into it?
Being such a deep cut/hole will the skin grow back?

Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Grafting is done but taking skin from another area

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear

Welcome

1 It is possible that based on pic, the stitches might have been ruled out but the doctor may change mind upon examination

2 Surgery might be to remove any dead tissue that is not healthy or repairing the torn tissues

3 Skin graft is done by taking a piece of skin from elsewhere and transplanting it over deficit

4 Allowing it to heal will cause a scar that may or may not be too embarrassing. if it is, a surgery for scar revision can be planned. The gap gets filled but the shiny skin over the top called scar might be a concern

I hope this helps you.

Best wishes to both of you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. VINAY KUMAR (1 hour later)

My girlfriend is now telling me that the doctor will remove the dead skin and then apply some type of material over the area. I'm assuming to keep it on you while it heals over time. I'm guessing the skin will grow back but there will be a hole or divet there? Is that probably accurate? Or will it fill in with this method?

Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followng the suggested treatment is advisable

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for coming back

I also think the same that it should be cleaned up and allowed to heal before another assessment is done to see whether there is any need for skin grafting.

The skin is likely to grow back but may or may not have altered appearance which cannot be predicted before the healing is over.

I will keep no guiding you as and when needed.

Please do not worry as she seems to be in safe hands.

Best wishes again

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar