Pinch skin grafting in non-healing leprous ulcers

Treatment of leprous ulcers has remained inadequate, owing to the fact that most of these ulcers are still being managed conservatively especially in developing nations, probably due to financial constraints. Pinch skin grafting, though obsolete now (2), tries to bridge this gap between cost and effectiveness. It is a simple office-based technique, not requiring much expertise or investment, and can be done in a simple set-up such as a side room (3). Also, pinch skin grafting has an added advantage over single grafts, in that even if one graft is rejected, there are other grafts, which successfully heal, and epidermize to the surrounding. Moreover, if the ulcer is draining, the discharge flows out in between the grafts, thus preventing the whole graft from being rejected. The only disadvantage to pinch skin grafting is the final cosmetic appearance, which might not be most pleasing. We had very good results with all four patients who underwent this procedure in our institution. The procedure and the final result are described in detail in this report.