When are full thickness skin grafts used?

A full-thickness skin graft is used when all layers of the skin are needed to close a wound or to cover small areas. It is used when matching the skin graft’s color to the normal skin is important. It may also be done when contractures (tightening and shortening) of the skin graft should be avoided.

Where can I get full thickness skin grafts?

Full-thickness grafts may be harvested from the upper eyelid, nasolabial fold, preauricular and postauricular regions, and the supraclavicular fossa. These donor sites are most often used to close a wound on the face or neck.

Can you skin graft a finger?

For larger skin defects, skin grafting is occasionally recommended. Smaller grafts can be obtained from the little finger side of the hand. Larger grafts may be harvested from the forearm or groin. If the nailbed is injured, it is repaired (see web page on nailbed injuries).

How do you take care of a full-thickness skin graft?

The graft should be treated delicately after suture removal. It is best to keep the area covered for 3 weeks after suture removal with a nonstick dressing (Telfa) and paper tape. Clean the graft daily with ½ strength peroxide and keep it moist with Vaseline.

Why a full-thickness skin graft may be a better choice?

Full-Thickness Skin Grafts FTSGs maintain more of the normal characteristics of the skin (notably texture, color and thickness), and contract less during healing. As a result, FTSGs are aesthetically pleasing and a good choice for the face or other highly-visible areas of the body.

How does full-thickness skin graft heal?

[1][2] Skin grafts are chosen when healing by second intention, primary closure, or flap repair are deemed unsuitable. Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) consist of complete epidermis and dermis, whereas partial-thickness skin grafts (PTSG) include the entire epidermis and only partial dermis.

Why is a full thickness skin graft better than a split-thickness skin graft?

The split-thickness technique is used to cover large areas, which makes it ideal for the legs. Full-thickness skin grafts are usually reserved for smaller areas, such as the face and hands, because they blend better with the surrounding skin.

How long do you stay in the hospital after a skin graft?

A skin graft usually involves two surgical sites (the donor site and the graft site). Your provider will monitor your health, look for signs of infection and make sure both sites are healing properly. After surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for up to two weeks.

What do you call a full thickness skin graft?

Full-thickness skin graft: This is also called FTSG. Full-thickness skin grafts are made up of epidermis and the whole thickness of the dermis. If FTSG is to be used, a piece of your skin will be cut into the correct size and shape to fit the wound.

Which is the best site for skin grafting?

A skin graft is an avascular dermal tissue used to cover well-perfused dermal defects. The graft is most commonly autologous and can be either split-thickness or full-thickness. Skin grafting donor sites are commonly the anterolateral thigh for STSG and the upper extremity for FTSG.

How long does it take for a skin graft to take?

Grafts depend on the blood supply from the wound edges and wound surface in order to “take.” To help the new skin placed over the wound “take,” a firm tie-on dressing will be in place for the first week. Once removed, the graft will probably be dark blue or pink and crusty around the edges.

How is skin graft done in the operating hand?

This finger provides tension and a sense of graft thickness while the operating hand dissects the graft off of the underlying subcutaneous fat in the subdermal plane. 5.