Complex Wound Reconstruction in a Patient With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary condition marked by collagen defects leading to tissue fragility throughout various body systems. One notable challenge for patients with EDS is compromised wound healing due to connective tissue fragility. This study described the case of a 53-year-old man with classical type EDS, presenting with a significant wound over his left knee, following numerous complications after a patellar tendon rupture. Traditional healing methods, including a gastrocnemius flap, were of limited benefit due to the patient's EDS condition. A novel surgical approach, involving the use of a split-thickness skin graft combined with the Recell Autologous Skin Cell Harvesting Device, resulted in successful wound healing. Ten months postsurgery, the patient demonstrated excellent graft adherence without any complications. This case indicates the potential benefits of the split-thickness skin graft and Recell method for patients with EDS, offering an effective treatment modality for significant wound healing challenges in this population.