Degloving Injury of the Lower Extremity: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our article is to highlight the importance of the immediate treatment of lower extremity degloving injuries, in order to prevent complications. CASES PRESENTATION: Here we present two cases of degloving injury of the lower extremity, both resulting from motorway accidents. The first one concerned a 65-year-old man suffering from multiple limb fractures and a degloving injury of the right thigh, which was immediately treated with extensive debridement and primary full-thickness skin graft re-approximation. The second case involved a 63-year-old woman who presented with cervical vertebrae fractures and a degloving injury of the left posterior leg, which, due to the severity of her condition, was treated with a delayed approach resulting in skin necrosis, which required surgical debridement, alginate dressing and foam cover. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal approach to treatment of degloving injuries is challenging and they warrant immediate surgical attention. An early diagnosis and the evaluation of tissue viability are important in order to prevent limb-threatening situations.