PRIMARY SKIN CLOSURE OF A LARGE GROIN DEFECT AFTER INGUINAL LYMPHADENECTOMY FOR PENILE CANCER USING A SKIN STRETCHING DEVICE

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Abstract
Purpose: We describe a method of primary closure of a large skin defect. Materials and Methods: A 44-year-old man was treated for penile cancer. After left inguinal lymphadenectomy a large skin defect in the groin remained that could not be closed primarily. Allowing skin to stretch beyond its inherent extensibility with a skin stretching system (Sure-Closure * Life Medical Sciences, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey. ) the wound edges were closed without tension. Results: Primary closure of a large skin defect was possible after cyclic stretching and relaxation of the skin with a skin stretching device. Conclusions: Large skin defects can be closed primarily using a skin stretching device. The primary advantage of the procedure are its simplicity and avoidance of the need for more complicated reconstructive surgery.