[Comparison of skin complications between dermatome and U-graft technique in BAHA surgery]

The most common postoperative complications related to BAHA prosthetic surgery are skin complications. In this study we compare and evaluate these reactions with two different surgical techniques, the BAHA dermatome and the U-graft technique.

Fifty-three patients who underwent implantation of a BAHA at our hospital between 2001 and 2008 were studied. The comparison of the skin reactions was carried out according to Holgers' classification. We also recorded the number of cures required until the skin was stabilized.

We used the dermatome in 27 patients and the U-graft in 26 patients. In the dermatome group we have reported a total of 74% of skin reactions (20 patients), in contrast with the 34% (9 patients) observed in the U-graft group. The average number of cures for patients in the dermatome group and those in the U-graft group was 4.1 and 2.7, respectively. The differences found were statistically significant and had a 95% confidence interval.

In our experience, the use of the electric dermatome in BAHA surgery offers a higher incidence of skin complications in comparison with the U-graft technique. Since both techniques have a number of advantages and disadvantages, it may be that the selection of the technique to be employed according the individual characteristics of each patient may offer better results in the future.