The CelluTome epidermal graft-harvesting system: a patient-reported outcome measure and cost evaluation study

Oliver J. Smith, Sarah Jayne Edmondson, Nicki Bystrzonowski, Nadine Hachach-Haram, Muholan Kanapathy, Toby Richards, Ash Mosahebi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Conventional split skin grafts (SSG) require anaesthesia, specialist equipment and can have high donor site (DS) morbidity. The CelluTome epidermal graft-harvesting device is a novel alternative, providing pain-free epidermal skin grafts (ESG) in the outpatient setting, with projected minimal DS trauma and improved patient satisfaction. This study aimed to compare ESG with SSG by evaluating patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) and the cost implications of both. Twenty patients answered a graft satisfaction questionnaire that evaluated: donor/graft site noticeability, aesthetic concerns, adverse problems and patient satisfaction. Cost/patient was calculated based on total operative expenses and five clinic follow-ups. In 100% of the ESG cases, there were no DS noticeability or adverse problems compared to 25% in the SSG group. Complete satisfaction with DS appearance was observed in 100% of the ESG cases (50% SSG). Noticeability, adverse problems and overall satisfaction were significantly better in ESG cases (P < 0.05). Graft site parameters were comparable with similar healing outcomes. The cost per patient for ESG was £431 and £1489 for SSG, with an annual saving of £126 960 based on 10 grafts/month. For the right patient, CelluTome provides comparable wound healing, with reduced DS morbidity and higher patient satisfaction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)555-560
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Wound Journal
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CelluTome
  • Cost analysis
  • Epidermal skin grafting
  • Patient-recorded outcome measures
  • Split skin grafting

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