INNOVATIONS IN BURN CARE: Intraoperative Stabilization of Upper Extremities During Skin Grafting

Abstract

An intraoperative device consisting of a curved piece of wood with towel clips suspended from cup hooks has been developed for holding the upper extremities during skin grafting procedures. Towel clips, bent at the shaft to prevent total closure, are attached at the distal phalanx of the finger and suspended from the hooks. The upper extremities can be lifted completely off the arm board by a chain attached to the board and skin grafts applied without need for stabilization by an assistant. The device has been used in 350 grafting procedures without complications during a four-year period.