Skin Graft
In this page you will find specific information on certain procedures that are performed in plastic surgery. This will help you to get an idea of the surgery that is performed. This is not meant to be a complete source of information nor is it meant to be a purely academic paper.
Split skin graft
A split skin graft refers to a transplantation of skin from one part of the body to another. The skin is commonly harvested from the thigh. In certain circumstances where the thighs are not available as a donor site, then other parts of the body like the legs arms, back or the scalp may be used.
Where is this used?
A skin graft is used to cover wounds that cannot be closed with sutures or will take a very long tome to heal. The wounds may be caused due to trauma, burns, infection, tumors or surgery.
Where is a skin graft not used?
A skin graft is not appropriate to cover exposed tendons, bones, joints, vessels nerves, or implants.
How is the procedure done?
A skin graft is cut from the skin by a special instrument called the dermatome. The skin that is harvested is thin and does not damage the site that it is taken from. The place from where the skin graft is taken will heal on its own in about two weeks time.
The skin that is taken is then placed on the wound and fixed with either clips or sutures. A bulky padded dressing is given.
How long does a skin graft take to heal?
Normally a skin graft will heal in about two weeks time. During this period regular dressings are necessary to keep the wound clean.
The site from where the skin is taken - the donor site, is also covered with a dressing. Normally the donor site does not need any dressing for the two week period. How ever if some soakage on the dressing is noted then the dressing may need to be changed.
Does a skin graft need any special care?
Once skin graft is healed it will mature over a period of time. During this period of maturation regular massages with a lubricant, compression with an elastic compression garment will make the graft to heal better.
Is the skin graft strong?
Immediately after healing the skin graft will be weaker than the other normal skin. How ever after the skin graft matures, the graft will be durable and will be able to withstand all normal stresses of day to day activities. It will last a lifetime.
How does a skin graft look?
All skin grafts will look a little different from the normal skin. The graft will be darker than the surrounding skin.It may also feel a bit more dry and rough from the normal skin.
The donor site too will have a different look to it. How ever all these changes will fade away with time