"Flypaper technique" a modified expansion method for preparation of postage stamp autografts

The gold standard for management of extensive burn has been early excision, temporary allografting and final autografting. However, "lack of donor skin" is a challenge condition when autografting in the treatment of extensive burns. Designing an efficient and easy to apply expansion method may improve burn care quality and shorten the hospital stay period. From December 1998 to May 2004, we have performed fly paper technique postage stamp skin autografting for eight major burn patients in the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. By using a quick cutting plate, chessboard tray and petrolatum gauze, the skin islands can be uniformly located and correctly oriented on gauze. Then, the gauze with skin islands was grafted on to the wound. The wound healing time depends on the size of skin islands and expansion ratio. This method allows true expansion ratio up to nine times. The average wound healing times are 27.2 days for six times expansion and 34 days for nine times expansion. However, the burn scar needs further compression therapy to improve the cosmetic result. In comparison with the mesh technique, the skin islands are independent of each other, any dislodgement of a skin island will not interfere with the surrounding skin squares. When compared with the modified Meek technique, this method also offers rapid wound reepithilization but with lower cost. This flypaper technique is worthy of consideration in dealing with the extensive burns.