Effect of Full-Thickness Skin Graft Initial Dimension on Secondary Wound Contraction: Experimental Study in Rats

Abstract

The size of a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) is typically determined using a pattern of the defect usually obtained following excision of a skin lesion. The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the effects of various graft sizes on secondary wound contraction. Four 2.5 x 2.5 cm defects were created on the backs of 20 rats. Defect A was left to heal by secondary intention. The graft obtained from defect B (exact size graft) was sutured to its original bed. The wound of defect C (large graft) was patterned, and this was used to obtain a generous graft from the abdomen. A presized 1.5 x 1.5 graft obtained from defect D (small graft) was sutured to its original wound. Graft areas on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 18, and 21 were calculated and converted into a percentage of the original wound size. Analysis of variance was used for statistical comparison. Open wounds reached a final wound size of 5% at day 21. Exact-size grafts showed the least secondary contraction rate (74.19 +/- 4.30 %) (p < .05). A graft in the size of a planned excision preserves its original area better than grafts larger or smaller in size in the rodent model. The size of a FTSG is an important factor in preventing secondary wound contraction. However, it should be stressed that the results of this study cannot necessarily be extrapolated to real clinical scenarios without further detailed studies.