Eric W. Temple
Subcutaneous hematomas can result from trauma. At particular risk are elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities and those who may be taking medications such as anticoagulants [1-3]. Effective treatment of subcutaneous hematomas is important in order to avoid complications including skin necrosis, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, tissue edema, and prolonged recovery [1-5]. Hematoma evacuation may be done using a surgical approach, in which the hematoma is evacuated under general or regional anesthesia followed by treatment with a skin graft or skin substitute [3,5]. There are several traditional dermal treatment options, including autografts, allografts, and xenografts. However, these modalities are associated with limited availability and donor site morbidity in the case of autografts, as well as potential disease transmission and immunologic rejection in the case of allografts and xenografts … read more