Evaluation of bacterial infection of split-thickness skin grafts at the korle bu teaching hospital

Kwesi Okumanin Nsaful, Albert B. Paintsil, Jonathan C.B. Dakubo, Josephine Nsaful, Kwaku Appiah-Labi, Edmund Nartey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Split skin grafts are frequently employed to provide biological cover for extensive wounds. The clinical outcome of skin grafts depends on a variety of factors of which infection is one of the most important. The intent of this study was to define the micro-organisms causing skin graft infections and failures at the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre (NRPSBC) at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Aim: The study assessed the extent to which bacterial infection of grafted wounds resulted in graft failure and subsequent re-grafting. Materials and Methods: The study was a longitudinal study conducted on the wards of the NRPSBC at the KBTH on patients with wounds who received split skin grafts. Wound swabs of discharging grafted wounds were inoculated into a Stuarts’ transport medium to prevent desiccation and transported immediately to the microbiology laboratory for further processing. Results: Fifteen (20.8%) of the grafts failed to take. The incidence of infected grafted wounds was 79.2% (57). Infected grafted wounds that resulted in graft failure were 14 out of 57 infected wounds (24.6%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Other Pseudomonas Species were identified as the bacteria frequently involved in graft failure at the NRPSBC. Conclusion: In this study, we found a graft failure rate of 20.8%. This was influenced by the bacterial load present in the graft bed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)259-265
Number of pages7
JournalBali Medical Journal
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Graft Failure
  • Infection
  • Prophylactic antibiotics
  • Split skin Graft
  • Take of graft

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