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Removal of mesh from skin graft harvest site?
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Removal of mesh from skin graft harvest site?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Removal of mesh from skin graft harvest site?

  • Post
    • October 31, 2013 at 4:47 pm
    Michelem
    Participant

      My husband had surgery last week – eight lymph glands removed a very deep melanoma from the bottom of his foot, which wound was then covered with skin harvested from his thigh. The harvest wound was covered with a mesh fabric and bandages. The doc tells us it is up to my husband to now remove that mesh – either by tearing it off all at once, or gradually peeling it off a tiny bit at a time. Either way it is painful.

      The expectation is this will cause the wound to bleed, he is to wear shorts and keep it open to the air so it will heal over. But getting that mesh off will be painful and difficult – has anyone here got any thoughts on how best to manage?

      We have other questions regarding next steps, but this is occupying our attention right now! Much thanks for any help or ideas. 

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 31, 2013 at 5:17 pm
        pd1gal
        Participant

          I had this done with my foot after a WLE. I didnt have a mesh but did have to remove very intervoven gause material from the open wound. I opted not to have a skin graft.

           

          What worked for me was to have my husband place my foot on towels and a very little bit at a time add a lot of water to the bandage and step by step lift the material off the wound while keeping it very moist. It may take a while but it minimized the pain of removal.

           

          Good Luck

            • October 31, 2013 at 5:35 pm
            Michelem
            Participant

              Thank you! You're probably right – this is likely a fine gauze rather than a mesh. The harvest site is on the thigh, and what you're describing is pretty much as the doctor recommended, though he suggested doing it in the shower. My husband started on this a bit yesterday but it was so painful he didn't get very far. Will try again today! 

              • October 31, 2013 at 5:35 pm
              Michelem
              Participant

                Thank you! You're probably right – this is likely a fine gauze rather than a mesh. The harvest site is on the thigh, and what you're describing is pretty much as the doctor recommended, though he suggested doing it in the shower. My husband started on this a bit yesterday but it was so painful he didn't get very far. Will try again today! 

                • October 31, 2013 at 5:35 pm
                Michelem
                Participant

                  Thank you! You're probably right – this is likely a fine gauze rather than a mesh. The harvest site is on the thigh, and what you're describing is pretty much as the doctor recommended, though he suggested doing it in the shower. My husband started on this a bit yesterday but it was so painful he didn't get very far. Will try again today! 

                • October 31, 2013 at 5:17 pm
                pd1gal
                Participant

                  I had this done with my foot after a WLE. I didnt have a mesh but did have to remove very intervoven gause material from the open wound. I opted not to have a skin graft.

                   

                  What worked for me was to have my husband place my foot on towels and a very little bit at a time add a lot of water to the bandage and step by step lift the material off the wound while keeping it very moist. It may take a while but it minimized the pain of removal.

                   

                  Good Luck

                  • October 31, 2013 at 5:17 pm
                  pd1gal
                  Participant

                    I had this done with my foot after a WLE. I didnt have a mesh but did have to remove very intervoven gause material from the open wound. I opted not to have a skin graft.

                     

                    What worked for me was to have my husband place my foot on towels and a very little bit at a time add a lot of water to the bandage and step by step lift the material off the wound while keeping it very moist. It may take a while but it minimized the pain of removal.

                     

                    Good Luck

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