Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two retaining members (70, 71) configured as a flange connecting two legs (20) and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include either a sharp book (23) or a blunt skin insertion element at the end of the leg adapted for percing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Alternatively, the retaining members may include topical engagement elements for engaging portions of the interdermal needles which are located above the skin surface. A contracting mechanism such as a screw (82) may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two U-shaped retaining members configured as a flange connecting two legs and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include a sharp hook at the end of the leg adapted for piercing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Each retaining member may include a pivoting platform that pivots up to 20.degree. from an initial position indicated by a detent mechanism. A contracting mechanism such as a screw may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results. The skin closing apparatus may also include a clutch mechanism configured to disengage the screw from a knob or handle, when a predetermined force is met or exceeded.