SKIN GRAFT

Ulvan Ozad

Skin Graft

A skin graft is a patch of skin that is removed by surgery from one area of the body and transplanted, or attached, to another area.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002982.htm

Skin GraftPartial-thickness skin grafts• Contains epidermis and superficial part of dermis • Usually taken from donor site with dermatome or Humby knife • Donor site epithelium grows back from sweat glands and hair follicles • Graft can be 'meshed' to increase the area that can be covered • Excess skin can be stored in fridge and reused for up to 3 weeks • Partial-thickness grafts can not be used on infected wounds • Not suitable for covering bone, tendon or cartilage • Cosmetic result is often not good Full-thickness skin grafts• Contains epidermis and all of dermis • Can only be used to cover small defects • Good cosmetic results can be obtained • Donor site needs to be closed with primary suture or partial thickness graft • Common donor sites include the postauricular skin and supraclavicular fossa

http://www.surgical-tutor.org.uk/default-home.htm?specialities/plastic/skin_grafts.htm

Why is This Procedure Performed?• Very large wounds • Burns• Venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, or diabetic ulcers

which do not heal • Surgeries that need skin grafts to heal • Areas where there has been infection that caused

a large amount of skin loss • Cosmetic reasons or reconstructive surgeries

where there has been skin damage or skin loss • Skin cancer surgery

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002982.htm

After the Surgery

• Depending on the location of the graft, may need to wear a dressing for 1 to 2 weeks.

• Avoid exercise that might stretch or injure the graft for 3 to 4 weeks.

• Some people need physical therapy after their skin graft.

• Full-thickness grafts need a longer recovery period.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002982.htm

Complications

• The grafted area looks a bit like a patchwork, which may be depressed.

• It is never exactly similar to the surrounding normal skin, though the appearance improves with time.

• Sometimes you can have complications such as bleeding, infection, partial or complete loss of skin graft, raised scars and poor cosmetic appearance.

http://www.christie.nhs.uk/patients/booklets/text/plastic_surgery/skin_grafts.aspx

Prognosis

• New blood vessels begin growing within 36 hours.

• Most skin grafts are successful, but some do not heal well.

• A second graft may be needed

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002982.htm

http://www.rogerbondy.com/skin-graft.jpg http://www.eytonsearth.org/skindonorsite50.jpg

http://www.pssjournal.com/content/figures/1754-9493-2-12-4-l.jpg

http://www.edisposals.com/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Disposals-Public-Site/Disposals/en_US//Fieldtextiles/FieldMedical/FM001.Brennen-Skin-Graft.jpg

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