Conservative Reconstruction of the Lower Limb with a Bilayer Porous Collagen Matrix after a Spider Bite
Brown recluse spider bites may cause symptoms ranging from local cutaneous reactions to systemic visceral loxoscelism. Most bites are self-limiting, but some can lead to necrotic ulcerations with severe complications and soft tissue defects. Necrotizing ulcers are uncommon and have various clinical presentations, so no standard treatment exists. A 68-year-old man required medical attention after getting a spider bite while traveling in Tanzania. After returning to Italy, the patient presented with a posterior lower limb black papule, local edema, and fever. The lesion quickly ulcerated with an eschar. Medical history and symptoms suggested a brown recluse spider bite. Ulcer management was conservative, with careful surgical debridement and a two-step reconstruction using a split-thickness skin graft and a bilayer porous collagen matrix. Treatment resulted in functional recovery and acceptable aesthetics.
Authors
- Emanuela Basile
- Lorenzo Secondi
- Martina Giacalone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2210-8501)
- Davide J. Bottini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6728-5130)
- Carlo Cossi
- Gabriele Storti
- Valerio Cervelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8474-9104)
- Marco Palmesano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7039-3601)
- Alessio Calicchia
- Irene Nunziata
Institutions
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advances in Skin & Wound Care
- Published
- 2025-01-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/asw.0000000000000254
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.07