Bolstering Skin Grafts With a Surgical Scrub Brush: A Cost-effective Solution

Objective: The objective of this article is to review the methods currently used for the bolstering of skin grafts and compare their advantages and disadvantages with those of the dry, sterile surgical scrub brush. We report a series of cases performed at a single institution and compare the cost-effectiveness, application, and limitations of this method with other options for skin graft bolstering. Methods: A PubMed search using the parameters "(bolster) AND skin graft" was conducted, yielding 85 results. A total of 40 publications met the criteria for our literature review. The costs of the foam bolsters utilized as stents for skin grafts were obtained from the Central Supply and Resource Division of the University of Louisville Hospital for a cost analysis. The cost per square centimeter of each bolster material was calculated. Results: At $0.003/cm², the 3M Reston foam is the most inexpensive of the 3 bolster materials analyzed. The dry, sterile surgical scrub brush has a similar cost at $0.006/cm² but carries the advantage of sterility. The material cost of negative pressure wound therapy is $0.47/cm², and the cost of the system as a whole makes it a much more expensive alternative. In 6 patients with defects of varying size and location, the scrub brush bolster showed a near 100% graft take and no complications. Conclusions: The dry, sterile surgical scrub brush presents a readily available and low-cost option for the stenting of small skin grafts and should be considered a viable method in the armamentarium of available skin graft bolsters.