Effects of argon beam coagulation on split thickness skin graft survival in the swine model

Argon beam coagulation (ABC) uses argon gas to evacuate blood in an operative field and simultaneously to transport a coagulating electric current to bleeding sites. This allows a 'no touch' method of coagulation which is faster, more precise, and less destructive than conventional electrocautery. The technique has been used to reduce blood loss in liver surgery, trauma surgery and neck dissections. In this study, the effect of ABC treatment of the recipient graft beds on the survival of split thickness skin grafts was assessed in pigs, testing the hypothesis that ABC treatment of the recipient bed would have no adverse effect on skin graft survival. Nine 20 kg mixed breed pigs had split thickness skin grafts raised on each side of the paraspinous area. The graft beds on one side were prepared using ABC and the contralateral side served as controls. The percentage of graft survival on the ABC treated sides was compared to control graft survival on the other side at 12 days postsurgery. Our results confirm the hypothesis that treatment of the recipient bed with ABC does not adversely affect the survival of split thickness skin grafts.