SKIN GRAFT

1. SKIN GRAFT
Ulvan Ozad

2. 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

3. Skin Graft
Partial-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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. http://www.edisposals.com/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Disposals-Public-
Site/Disposals/en_US//Fieldtextiles/FieldMedical/FM001.Brennen-Skin-Graft.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/sendusaquarter/graft4.JPG

11. THANK YOU