The Centre, P.C. has long specialized in the treatment of a variety of wounds. Depending on the severity and structure of the wound, our physicians may employ direct closure, skin grafts, tissue expansion, flap surgery or microsurgery. Your doctor will review the options after examining your wound, and together you will form a treatment plan.

The physician will assess the amount of skin missing, whether nerves or muscles have been damaged, or if the skeletal support was affected.

For skin-surface wounds with straight edges, direct closure if usually performed. The cosmetic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. take extra care to minimize noticeable stitch marks.

Skin Grafts

Skin grafts are normally used for wounds that are wide and difficult (or impossible) to close directly. The doctor will remove a patch of health skin from another area of your body and use it cover where the skin is missing or damaged.

A split-thickness graft uses only the layers of skin closest to the surface. It is most commonly performed for burn wounds. The "donor site," where the patch of skin is taken, is determined by the size and color of the patch needed. The skin will grow back at the donor site, though it may be a bit lighter.

A full-thickness graft takes all layers of skin from the donor site. A thin scar usually results. Full-thickness grafts are used to treat deep and large burn wounds or areas where maximum elasticity is required, such as at joints.

A composite graft lifts all layers of skin as well as fat and sometimes underlying cartilage. A straight-line scar will remain where the graft is taken, though it will fade with time. Composite grafts are used in situations such as skin cancer on the nose and when a wound needs more underlying support.

Tissue Expansion

With a tissue expansion, the body "grows" extra skin. A balloon-like device called an expander is inserted under the skin near the area needing repair. It is gradually filled with salt water over time, causing the skin to stretch and grow. We have devoted a special page to tissue expansion, since it is used in many applications. Learn more here.

Flap Surgery / Microsurgery

A flap is a section of living tissue that carries its own blood supply and is moved from one area of the body to another. There are several different types of flaps: local flap (next to the wound), regional flap (attached by a specific blood vessel), musculocutaneous flap (comprising muscle and skin), bone/soft tissue flap (includes bone as well as tissue), and microvascular free flap (a section of skin and tissue that is completely detached from its original site).

For any of the above types of plastic surgery, The Centre, P.C. recommends the use of the VitaMedica Surgery Program, a comprehensive pre- and post-surgery nutritional supplement system designed specifically for patients undergoing extensive surgical procedures.

Contact our cosmetic surgeons to schedule a consultation about wound treatment. The Centre, P.C. offers the latest procedures in wound treatment to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.

 

Elkhart Office

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
FAX: 574-293-1511

Chesterton Office

Duneland Health & Wellness Institute
810 Michael Drive, Suite K
Chesterton, IN 46304
Fax: 219.926.3534

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