Minced Skin Grafting: A Minimally Invasive and Low-Cost Procedure to Treat Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis that usually presents as a painful ulcer with erythematous and undermined borders and is often characterized by pathergy. Although this condition precludes a surgical approach, in cases resistant to treatment with immunosuppressive agents, skin grafts and amputation are considered last resorts. Both expose the patient to the risk of developing new lesions. A minimally invasive autologous graft, minced micrografts, is a possible alternative to speed up the healing process, reducing the risk of pathergy. This procedure was implemented in a 28-year-old man with PG who was prescribed prednisone and dapsone and who had a large ulcer on the arm and armpit that had persisted for 4 months and was undergoing slow re-epithelialization. A sample of finely minced skin previously taken from the clavicular region suspended in a hydrogel was spread on the wound bed in a proportion of less than 1:6 with respect to the receiving site. Seven days later, initial signs of re-epithelialization appeared, and the wound healed in 3 months. In patients with PG, the minced micrograft method could facilitate ulcer healing by releasing cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, thus promoting granulation tissue formation, neoangiogenesis. Because this method does not require special equipment or complex surgical techniques and is very low cost, it should be an integral part of the arsenal of procedures aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with PG.

Automated summary

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis that is challenging to treat, with skin grafts and amputation considered as last resorts. Minimally invasive autologous grafts, such as minced micrografts, could be an effective alternative for ulcer healing in patients with PG, promoting granulation tissue formation and reducing the risk of pathergy. This method is cost-effective and does not require complex surgical techniques, making it a valuable addition to the treatment arsenal for improving the quality of life of patients with PG.