Resolution of a chronic occipital wound with exposed skull bone with a fish skin graft: a successful treatment approach

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Aug 3;17(8):e261172. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2024-261172.

Abstract

Chronic skin defects in the head, face and neck pose challenges for closure, especially after multiple surgeries or radiation therapy. We report the case of a woman in her 70s with a chronic occipital wound following squamous cell carcinoma resections, resulting in exposed skull bone. Despite various options, we successfully treated the 4 cm x 5 cm wound with a Kerecis fish skin graft (FSG), observing significant improvement within a week. The FSG promoted granulation tissue formation, enabling subsequent full-thickness skin grafting from the patient's groin. Complete wound closure was achieved within 2 weeks, indicating FSG's efficacy in complex wound management. Our experience highlights FSG's potential as a valuable tool in wound healing and reconstruction, particularly in challenging cases involving the head and neck.

Keywords: Dermatology; Ear, nose and throat; Plastic and reconstructive surgery; Skin; Skin cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / surgery
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Fishes
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Occipital Bone / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Skin Transplantation* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing*