Safety of Deep Sedation in Patients Undergoing Full-Thickness Skin Graft Harvesting and Skin Graft Reconstruction for Limb Salvage

Abstract

Background:Studies on obtaining donor skin graft using intravenous sedation for patients undergoing major foot surgeries in the same operating room visit have not previously been reported. The objective of this retrospective study is to demonstrate that intravenous sedation in this setting is both adequate and safe in patients undergoing skin graft reconstruction of the lower extremities in which donor skin graft is harvested from the same patient in one operating room visit.Methods:Medical records of 79 patients who underwent skin graft reconstruction of the lower extremities by one surgeon at the Yale New Haven Health System between November 1, 2008, and July 31, 2014, were reviewed. The patients' demographic characteristics, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, comorbid conditions, intraoperative analgesic administration, estimated blood loss, total operating room time, total postanesthesia care unit time, and postoperative complications within the first 72 hours were reviewed.Results:This study found minimal blood loss and no postoperative complications, defined as any pulmonary or cardiac events, bleeding, admission to the intensive care unit, or requirement for invasive monitoring, in patients who underwent major foot surgery in conjunction with full-thickness skin graft.Conclusions:We propose that given the short duration and peripheral nature of the procedures, patients can safely undergo skin graft donor harvesting and skin graft reconstruction procedures with intravenous sedation regardless of American Society of Anesthesiologists class in one operating room visit.