Abstract:ObjectiveTo observe the feasibility and clinical effect of self-made continuous skin stretcher in repairing skin and soft tissue defects of extremities. Methods The data of 20 patients with calf skin defect and bone exposure treated with continuous skin stretcher from June 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 15 males and 5 females withan average age of 34 years old (ranged from 19 to 54 years old).The skin defect sites were as follows:2 cases in upper arms,3 cases in forearms,15 cases in lower legs (5 cases in the middle,6 cases in the middle and lower part,4 cases in the ankle).The degrees of skin defect were as follow:4 cases with bone exposure,7 cases with tendon exposure,and 13 cases with simple skin defect.The average defect area was 14.1 cm×4.3 cm,and all of them were post-traumatic skin and soft tissue defects. Results All patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (average 10.6 months).All the wounds healed after operation,and the healing time was 3 to 7 weeks (average 3.6 weeks).Direct discontinuous suture was made in sixteen patients directly and intermittently after one successful stretch and in four patients whose direct discontinuous sutures were performed intermittently after second successful stretch because of large area of skin defect or infection.The color of the skin after stretching was close to normal skin with normal hair growth,good elasticity and normal tenderness and no bloated appearance. Conclusion Self-made continuous skin stretcher is a feasible and convenient surgical method for repairing skin and soft tissue defects of extremities.