Closed Internal Degloving of the Flank

Document Type : CASE REPORT

Authors

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, Ohio, USA

Abstract

Originally described in 1853 by Dr. Morel-Lavellee, closed internal degloving injuries represent an important, although
uncommon, source of morbidity in trauma patients. These injuries are typically the result of a shearing or crushing force that
traumatically separates the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fat. This results in disruption of perforating
blood vessels and lymphatics, leading to hematoma/seroma formation. We describe two cases in which industrial crush
injuries resulted in lumbar transverse process fracture. Both patients developed closed degloving injuries of the flank. To
the author’s knowledge, this is the first case series describing the occurrence of closed internal degloving injuries of the
flank with transverse process fractures. We advise that a high level of suspicion for these lesions to occur with transverse
spinal fractures should be maintained, as they may arise several years after initial injury.

Keywords

References

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 5, Issue 4
July 2017
Pages 260-263

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 February 2016
  • Revise Date: 23 March 2016
  • Accept Date: 04 April 2016

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