Skin Graft

The removal and transplantation of healthy skin from one area of the body (source area or donor site) to another area (recipient area) where the skin has been damaged. The source sites most commonly used for skin grafts are the inner thigh, leg, buttocks, upper arm, and forearm.

There are three main types of skin graft techniques:
  • Split-thickness graft - removal of the top layer of skin (epidermis) and part of the middle layer (dermis). This type of graft allows the source site to heal more quickly. However, it is also more fragile, may be abnormally pigmented, and will not grow.
  • Full-thickness graft - removal and transfer of an entire area of skin. Although this type of graft requires stitches to heal the source site, the final outcome is usually better. Full-thickness grafts are usually recommended for areas where cosmetic appearance is important, such as the face. However, full-thickness grafts can only be placed on areas of the body that have significant vascularization (blood vessels), so its use is somewhat limited.
  • Composite grafts - combinations of skin and fat; skin and cartilage; or dermis and fat, which are used in areas that require three-dimensionality, such as the nose.
The use of one's own skin as the source area is called an autograft. However, if there is not enough skin on the body to provide graft coverage for another area on the same body, then skin may be harvested from outside sources. Three common options:
  • Allograft

Parts of the Body Involved

Skin

Reasons for Procedure

  • To promote healing of:
    • Large burns
    • Wounds
    • Varicose ulcers (venous ulcers)
    • Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
    • Diabetic ulcers
  • To reconstruct skin removed during surgery to treat cancer (such as breast cancer surgery)

Risk Factors for Complications during the Procedure

  • Age: newborn and infants, or 60 or older
  • Smoking
  • Chronic illness
  • Use of certain medications such as high blood pressure drugs, muscle relaxants, insulin

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure - The wound is cleaned with a saline solution

During Procedure

Outcome

A successful skin graft will result in transplanted skin adhering and growing into the recipient area. Cosmetic results may vary, based on factors such as type of skin graft used, and area of recipient site.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
  • Headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or general ill feeling
  • Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting