Compromised skin grafts Brisbane
Skin grafts and flaps
What are skin grafts and flaps?
Skin grafts and flaps are used to cover wounds or repair damaged tissue that wouldn’t heal properly on its own. A skin graft is a thin layer of skin taken from another part of your body, like your thigh, and placed over the wound. A flap, on the other hand, is a thicker section of tissue – often including skin, muscle, or fat – moved to a new area. Flaps are sometimes even reconnected to their blood supply.
These are often used for:
- Burns or injuries that need extra support to heal.
- Chronic wounds like diabetic ulcers or pressure sores.
- Surgical wounds after procedures like tumour removal.
Both grafts and flaps are critical tools in recovery, helping to protect wounds and promote healing.
When are grafts and flaps considered compromised?
Even with good care, grafts or flaps don’t always heal perfectly. They’re considered compromised when healing slows down or stops. Some signs to look for include:
- Colour changes: Healthy tissue is usually pink. Blue, purple, or black areas might signal poor blood flow.
- Swelling or redness: Persistent inflammation can indicate infection or other complications.
- Slow progress: If the area doesn’t seem to be improving, it could need extra support.
This can happen for several reasons, including limited blood flow, infection, or health conditions like diabetes.
How does HBOT help?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by delivering concentrated oxygen to tissues that need it most. During treatment, you breathe pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber. This helps in several ways:
- Improved oxygen delivery: HBOT increases oxygen levels in your blood, even in areas with poor circulation.
- New blood vessel growth: Over time, HBOT promotes the growth of tiny blood vessels, improving long-term healing.
Reduced swelling: Less inflammation makes it easier for your graft or flap to heal. - Stronger infection control: High oxygen levels create an environment where bacteria struggle to survive and help your body’s immune response.
HBOT is a recognised treatment for compromised grafts and flaps by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and is included in their list of approved indications. While some GPs may not yet be familiar with HBOT as an option, awareness is growing. Recently, both Channel 9 and Channel 10 visited Wesley Hyperbaric to help promote awareness of this important treatment and the role it can play in improving outcomes.
Research has shown that HBOT can improve healing in compromised grafts and flaps. Studies show HBOT can improve graft and flap viability, particularly in high-risk patients, though further research is needed to optimise its use alongside advanced wound care techniques.
Treatment for compromised skin grafts and flaps Brisbane
What should you do if you’re worried about healing?
If you’re concerned about your graft or flap, don’t wait. Talk to your doctor or surgeon as soon as possible. They’ll assess the area and may refer you for hyperbaric oxygen therapy if they think it’s a good fit for your recovery. At Wesley Hyperbaric, we’ll work closely with your care team to create a plan tailored to your needs.
Healing doesn’t always go perfectly, but with the right support, there’s often a way forward. If you have questions about how HBOT might help, contact us today – we’re here to help you take the next step.
Your journey starts with these 3 steps
When you have completed your hyperbaric sessions, your condition is reassessed by one of our doctors.