Skin Graft Donor Sites Research Articles

021. Outcomes of Adult Patients That Got Full Thickness Skin Graft with Skin Defects After the Surgical Wide Excision: Observational Case Series Study

Background: Full-thickness skin grafting plays an important role in reconstruction for excessive skin defects after the surgical wide excision. For closed defect consideration, full-thickness skin grafts can be used, The most common full-thickness skin graft donor sites include the retroauricular region, supraclavicular region, inguinal fold, buttock fold, hypothenar area, and anterior wrist fold. In this study. Methods: This is a single institutional, retrospective, observational case series study. We included 8 patients who underwent skin reconstruction using full-thickness skin grafts to close skin defects caused by the excision of skin tumor or trauma, between January 2024 and July 2024. Demographic data, including sex, age, location and photographs, and were collected. Results: the follow up for 8 patients that got full-thickness skin graft, we can make conclusion that full-thickness skin graft, can be the choice to closed the defect. The outcome of the patient is good with the defect is closed. Conclusion: Full-thickness skin grafting is a common technique for reconstructing skin defects after surgical wide excision. This case series demonstrates that using full-thickness grafts can effectively close these defects. Despite the challenges posed by the extent and location of the defects, the grafts provided a reliable solution when primary closure was not possible. Overall, this study highlights the importance of full-thickness skin grafting in the field of reconstructive surgery.

Recent Updates on the Management of Split-thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites.

This article is a narrative review of split-thickness skin graft donor site (STSG-DS) management since the international guidelines were created in 2018. Although many new interventions have been developed, there is a lack of quality, multicentered clinical trials to produce updated evidence-based recommendations. Electronic databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Medline, and PubMed, were searched by two independent researchers for literature regarding STSG-DS management published from 2018 through 2022, using specific terms in the text, title, and abstract. The primary endpoint assessed was STSG-DS healing, as measured by wound epithelialization. Thirty-one articles were selected, including three systemic review/meta-analyses, five case series, 14 randomized controlled clinical trials, six observational studies, and three nonrandomized trials. Novel interventions for STSG-DS management included in this article describe applications of human amniotic membranes, acellular dermal matrices, cell suspensions and growth factors, biomaterials, electromagnetic radiation, and natural products. Various interventions have shown promise for STSG-DS management since the creation of the 2018 international guidelines; however, studies with more standardized protocols and endpoints are needed to produce up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations and improve outcomes for patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafting.

Suprapubic skin as a skin graft donor site for micrograft application in vasculopaths

Suprapubic skin as a skin graft donor site for micrograft application in vasculopaths

[Translated article] Postoperative Wound Care in Dermatologic Surgery: Update And Narrative Review

Dermatologic surgery is associated with a very low risk of complications. There is no widely accepted, evidence-based protocol with recommendations for postoperative wound care after dermatologic surgery. In this narrative review, we will be discussing the evidence on surgical wound care products and procedures. Overall, we found relatively few studies and, in many cases, a lack of statistically significant differences, possibly because of the low rate of complications. We’ll be discussing the evidence on when we should initiate wound care procedures and their frequency, the type of ointment and antiseptics that should be applied, and the type of dressings that should be used. Despite the very few studies available on postoperative wound care following dermatologic surgery, there is sufficient evidence as to not recommend the use of prophylactic topical antibiotics. We also analyze the currently available evidence on surgical wound care in special situations, such as management of skin grafts, partial skin graft donor sites, xenografts/biomembranes, and surgical wounds to the legs.

Dynamic optical coherence tomography for imaging acute wound healing.

The aim of this study was to investigate acute wound healing with dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT). From 22 patients with 23 split skin graft donor sites, vessels at four wound edges, the wound bed, and adjacent and unaffected skin of the contralateral leg were measured by D-OCT at six time points from surgery to 4 weeks of healing. Changes in vessel orientation, density, diameter, morphology and pattern in horizontal, vertical and 3D images were analysed for wound healing and re-epithelialization. At 300 μm depth, there were significant differences of blobs and serpiginous vessels between normal and wounded skin. The wound had significantly more vertically oriented vessels, a higher degree of branching, vessel density and diameter compared with healthy skin. 3D images showed increased angiogenesis from healthy skin towards the wound centre, significantly higher vessel density at the wound than at normal skin and the highest at the interface. During wound healing blobs, coils and serpiginous vessels occurred significantly more frequently in lesional than healthy skin. Vessel density was greatest at the beginning, decreased and then increased by 4 weeks post-surgery. D-OCT helps to evaluate acute wound healing by visualizing and quantifying blood vessel growth in addition to re-epithelialization.

How Does a Skin Graft Donor Site Heal?

How Does a Skin Graft Donor Site Heal?

Cuidado de la herida quirúrgica tras cirugía dermatológica. Una actualización y revisión narrativa

Dermatologic surgery is associated with a very low risk of complications. There is no widely accepted, evidence-based protocol with recommendations for postoperative wound care after dermatologic surgery. In this narrative review, we will be discussing the evidence on surgical wound care products and procedures. Overall, we found relatively few studies and, in many cases, a lack of statistically significant differences, possibly because of the low rate of complications. We’ll be discussing the evidence on when we should initiate wound care procedures and their frequency, the type of ointment and antiseptics that should be applied, and the type of dressings that should be used. Despite the very few studies available on postoperative wound care following dermatologic surgery, there is sufficient evidence as to not recommend the use of prophylactic topical antibiotics. We also analyze the currently available evidence on surgical wound care in special situations, such as management of skin grafts, partial skin graft donor sites, xenografts/biomembranes, and surgical wounds to the legs.

Clinical evaluation of the efficiency and safety of the Tromboguard® hemostatic dressing for donor sites of split-thickness skin graft: A multicenter study

Worldwide, burns are the fourth most frequent type of injury. The treatment of burn wounds requires a lot of experience and an interdisciplinary approach including both surgical treatment and pharmacological wound care. The most common management of burn wounds is debridement and wound closure through the use of skin grafts. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the hemostatic and antibacterial effects of the commercially available Tromboguard® foam dressing with an active layer containing alginates and chitosan. The site of application of the product was the donor fields for skin grafts. Findings proved that a polyurethane foam dressing with an active chitosan-alginate layer is a useful option for achieving rapid hemostasis, antimicrobial protection and effective healing at split-thickness skin graft donor sites. Substances present in the active layer promote clot formation and the wound healing process.

Effects of Medicinal Plants Extracts in Healing Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Wounds: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

The literature on Split-Thickness Skin Graft (STSG) donor site dressings has not yet identified an ideal dressing, and most products tested by researchers for wound dressing are prohibitively expensive in Low- and Middle-income settings. Clinical trials using biological dressings have offered an alternative option for managing STSG donor sites wound. The aim of this systematic review is to find evidences regarding the effectiveness of medicinal plants on STSG donor site wound healing. A total of 249 papers were identified in the initial search. After removing duplicates and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 6 Randomized Clinical Trials were deemed relevant and included in the final review. Over twenty years four medicinal plants have entered clinical trial to enhance STSG donor site wound healing. The medicinal plants reviewed have large effect size regarding time to complete wound healing and wound score. However, the effect size of Aloe vera regarding time to complete wound healing and pain control vary from study to study. No patient quality of life was assessed neither cost-effectiveness of these products. Medicinal plants are potential cost effective antimicrobial and wound healing products for STSG donor site wound dressing. However, more clinical researches including patient quality of life among outcome measures are needed.

Effectiveness of a Regenerative Epithelial Suspension (RES), on the pigmentation of split-thickness skin graft donor sites in children: the dRESsing pilot randomised controlled trial protocol

BackgroundPaediatric donor site wounds are often complicated by dyspigmentation following a split-thickness skin graft. These easily identifiable scars can potentially never return to normal pigmentation. A Regenerative Epidermal Suspension (RES)...

Xeroform Stick-Down Dressing: A Novel Treatment for Pediatric Partial-Thickness Burns.

Burns traditionally require frequent, painful dressing changes to minimize infection risk and promote wound healing. To improve care for our pediatric population, our institution adapted a skin graft donor site dressing into a "stick-down" burn dressing consisting of a one-time application of bacitracin and 3% bismuth tribromophenate/vaseline impregnated gauze (Xeroform) that adheres to the burn and peels off as new epithelialized skin forms. The goal of which is to minimize dressing change frequency and patient discomfort in a cost-effective, widely available manner. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of the stick-down versus traditional topical dressings. A retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients (age <18 year) with partial-thickness burns treated at a level I pediatric trauma center for 4 years was conducted. One hundred eleven patients were included: 74 patients treated with daily silver sulfadiazene (Silvadene) dressings matched to 37 patients treated with the Xeroform stick-down dressing using 2:1 propensity score matching. Univariate analyses used Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher exact tests. The cohorts had similar demographics and burn characteristics. Both groups had similar hospitalization rates (31.1% Silvadene, 32.4% Xeroform), most commonly for pain control (54.5% Silvadene, 58.3% Xeroform), with similar average daily narcotic usage (7.7 ± 12.1 morphine milliequivalents Silvadene, 5.1 ± 9.5 Xeroform; P = 0.91). The Xeroform cohort had a shorter but statistically similar hospital stay (median, 1 vs 2 days). In addition, the Xeroform cohort required significantly less dressing changes with a median of 0.5 changes compared with 12 for the Silvadene cohort ( P < 0.0001). There was no difference in time to burn reepithelialization (median, 13.0 days for Silvadene and 12.0 days for Xeroform; P = 0.20) or wound healing complications (12.5% Silvadene, 2.7% Xeroform; P = 0.15). The Xeroform stick-down dressing has equivalent clinical outcomes to that of standard Silvadene dressings for the treatment of pediatric partial-thickness burns with the major advantages of decreasing dressing change frequency, minimizing patient distress and pain, and streamlining clinical care.

Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in alleviating split skin graft morbidities.

Skin grafting is a routinely employed technique to cover the skin defect. Though the skin grafts are technically effortless, they are tiresome because of the prolonged duration of hospital stay, labor-intensive, demanding repeated dressings, and also create a second wound. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one that has a higher concentration of platelets than the blood. Alpha granules of the platelets are rich in growth factors. To assess the effect of PRP on split-thickness skin graft uptake and donor site healing. In a single-center-based prospective study done from August 2018 to June 2020, 60 patients with acute and chronic wounds were divided into two equal groups. Autologous PRP was applied on the recipient wound bed and donor site in PRP group, and conventional methods like staples/sutures were used to anchor the skin grafts and standard of care of the donor site in a control group. Instantaneous graft adhesion was observed in all patients of PRP group. The first graft inspection was delayed. Seroma, hematoma, total number of dressings, and duration of stay in hospital were significantly reduced in the PRP group. Donor site pain in the postoperative period was notably reduced in PRP group. PRP also remarkably hastened the donor site healing. The application of PRP promotes graft take, minimizes complications, enhances donor site wound healing, mitigates donor site pain, and has immense economic benefits due to the reduced number of dressing changes and shorter hospital stay.

Role of Fibroheal Powder in the Treatment of Partial Thickness Burns

Aim of this case report is to assess the role of Fibroheal powder, a silk fibroin based pharmaceutical, in the treatment of partial thickness burns and split-thickness skin graft donor sites. Clinical examination of the burn wounds before and after use Fibroheal powder was done.

Surgical Outcome of Tumescent Versus Non Tumescent Technique for Harvesting Split Skin Graft: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: The technique for harvesting Split-thickness Skin Grafts (STSG) varies among surgeons. To control bleeding from split-thickness skin graft donor sites, the use of several haemostatic agents has been reported. The tumescent technique involves injecting tumescent fluid into the subcutaneous fat, obtaining swelling and firmness (tumescence) of the surgical area. This creates regional anaesthesia of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, allowing painless cutaneous surgery, with adrenaline acts as a haemostatic agent. Aim: To compare the surgical outcomes in terms of blood loss during the harvesting of STSG, postoperative pain experienced by the patient, healing of the donor site, and graft take rate with tumescent versus non tumescent techniques of STSG. Materials and Methods: The present prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, from November 2017 to March 2019. A total of 56 patients were enrolled after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were alternately assigned into the groups of tumescent or non tumescent technique groups. Intraoperative bleeding was assessed, postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and healing of the donor and recipient sites were assessed. Student’s t-test (two-tailed, independent) was used to find the significance of study parameters on a continuous scale between the two groups. The Chi-square/ Fisher’s-exact test was used to assess the significance of study parameters on a categorical scale between two or more groups. Results: The mean±Standard Deviation (SD) age of patients in the tumescent group was 48.25±12.79 years and in the non tumescent group was 52.79±12.91 years. Intraoperative bleeding ranged from 0-25% in all 28 patients in the tumescent group, while it ranged from 76-100% in all 28 patients in the control group (p-value&lt;0.001). When the authors compared the pain on Postoperative Day (POD) 1 using VAS we observed that 32.1% of cases (n=9) had a score of 5-7 compared to 28.6% of controls (n=8). There was no significant difference in postoperative pain, and the technique used for harvesting STSG did not affect the healing of the donor site or the graft take at the recipient site. Conclusion: The tumescent technique is a safer and better alternative to the non tumescent technique, as intraoperative bleeding is significantly lower with the former. Additionally, the tumescent technique does not affect the healing of the donor or recipient site.

Palmar reconstruction using full-thickness skin grafts from the groin and lateral malleolus regions: A comparison of long-term outcomes.

Using the skin of the lateral malleolus region for reconstruction of smaller areas of the palm may yield better outcomes than using the skin of the groin region. However, no previous study has provided long-term data comparing the groin and lateral malleolus regions as donor sites for full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) in palmar reconstruction. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the groin and lateral malleolus regions as donor sites for FTSGs in palmar reconstruction over a long-term follow-up period. The patients were classified into groin and lateral malleolus region groups (n = 15 each). Measurements were obtained at the graft site, the contralateral site corresponding to the graft site, and the donor site. A chromameter was used to measure skin color, and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was used to evaluate the scar at the skin graft site. Compared to the groin region group, the lateral malleolus region group showed skin colors that were closer to the original color of the palm in terms of lightness and red/green values. Additionally, the lateral malleolus region group received better esthetic ratings in the POSAS. Our results revealed that using the lateral malleolus region for FTSGs in palmar reconstruction resulted in better outcomes than using the groin region, even over a long period.

Split-thickness Plantar Skin Graft for Foot Syndactyly.

For the treatment of syndactyly, the submalleolar or inguinal area is the common donor site for skin grafts. However, high skin tension of the submalleolar area could potentially delay wound healing or cause scarring. Skin grafts from the inguinal area cause pigmentation. In this study, we have harvested split-thickness skin grafts from the plantar area to treat syndactyly and evaluated the healing course and aesthetic outcome. We analyzed 13 recipient and nine donor sites in eight patients, aged 13-68 months (average 25 months), with syndactyly of the foot. The minimum follow-up was 14 months, and average follow-up period was 22.3 months. Aesthetic outcomes including color and texture match, wound healing of donor site using Vancouver Scar Scale, and complications of both sites were assessed in all patients. At the recipient sites, the graft survived well, and the lack of pigmentation of the graft led to good color match. At the donor sites, hypertrophic scar and high scar scale were seen around postoperative month 3, but were momentary, as all donor sites matured to a flat and soft scar. Morbidity of split-thickness skin graft from the plantar region is limited. It causes minimum scarring of the nonexposed area. Moreover, because it does not cause pigmentation, the split-thickness skin graft technique is a reasonable option for the treatment of syndactyly.

First do no harm: A patient-reported survey of split skin graft donor site morbidities following thin and super-thin graft harvest

The split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site is the commonest used during burn surgery which has its own complications and as such the focus should be on minimizing it. Modifications to practice in our unit which we believe aid this include limiting the amount of STSG taken and the harvest of super-thin STSGs, with 0.003–0.005 in. (0.08–0.13 mm) being the commonest dermatome settings used. A patient-reported survey via a mobile phone link to a questionnaire was sent to 250 patients who had a STSG for an acute burn between 1st August 2020 and 31st July 2021. Patient demographics were collected from electronic records including the thickness of the FTSG taken when recorded. Patient responses were statistically analyzed and logistic regression with backwards elimination was performed to explore which contributing factors led to an improved experience of the donor site. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 107 patients (43%). These were between one and two and a half years after the injury. Concerning early donor site issues, itch was a problem for 52% of patients, pain was a problem for 48% of patients. Less common problems (fewer than 25% of patients) were leaking donor sites, wound breakdown, and over-granulation. Regarding long-term outcomes, increased, decreased or mixed pigmentation at the donor site was reported by 32% patients at the time of the survey. Hyper-vascular donor sites were reported by 24% patients. Raised or uneven feeling donor sites were reported by 19% patients, firm or stiff donor sites by 13% patients, and altered sensation by 10% patients. At the time of the survey, 70% responders reported their donor site looked “the same or about the same as my normal skin”. Of these, 62 reported how long it took for this to happen, and it equates to a third looking normal at 6 months and half looking normal at a year. For the 32 patients who reported their donor site looking abnormal, 72% were “not bothered” by it. Patients with super-thin grafts (0.003–0.005 in.) were significantly more likely to have normal sensation, normal stiffness, and be less raised at their donor sites than those who had thin grafts (0.006–0.008 in.). This survey gives important information on patients’ experiences of donor site morbidity that may form part of an informed consent process and allow tailored advice. Furthermore, it suggests that super-thin grafts may provide a superior donor site experience for patients.

Novel Method of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Management Using Combined Fenestrated Polyurethane Film and Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy

Background: Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is a fundamental and versatile technique used in reconstructive surgery. Despite numerous studies addressing the management of STSG donor sites, there is still little consensus on the optimal dressing method. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a novel method that combines a fenestrated polyurethane film with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) over conventional moist dressings.Methods: Between January 2021 and December 2022, 23 patients who received STSG were retrospectively reviewed. In group A, a polyurethane film punctured with a 20-gauge needle was applied to the skin graft donor site. A NPWT system (CuraSys) was subsequently applied over the film. The conventional NPWT was replaced with a portable NPWT (PICO system) on the day of discharge. On the 14th postoperative day, the NPWT and film were removed. In group B, patients were administered a traditional moist dressing until epithelization. Postoperative pain, reepithelization rate, and dressing cost per cm² were compared.Results: Group A exhibited a lower mean pain score on all the measured days. Furthermore, group A demonstrated a significantly shorter time required for complete reepithelization (18.07±8.43 days vs. 28.20±5.25 days, P=0.003) and a lower dressing cost per square centimeter (6,517±6,162 KRW [4.82±4.56 USD] vs. 23,036±27,157 KRW [17.05±20.11 USD], P=0.006).Conclusion: The combination of fenestrated polyurethane film and NPWT resulted in reduced pain caused by dressing, a faster reepithelization rate, and lower dressing cost than that of conventional moist dressing.

Comparison of the Effect of Using Collective Plus Ag Dressing and Vaseline Gauze Dressing in the Donor of Split-Thickness Burn Grafts.

Skin graft involves removing a part of the skin and using it in another part of the body. One of the most common reasons for using a graft is burns. We aimed to compare the effect of Colactive plus Ag dressing with Vaseline gauze dressing in donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts of burned patients. The present study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in the Motahari burn Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 1401. The sampling method was done using Cochran's formula and available patients so 15 people were enrolled. The findings of the study were collected using a researcher-made form. The average duration of recovery, the amount and intensity of pain, and the amount of itching between the two types of Colative plus Ag plus Ag dressing with Vaseline gauze are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. (P-value<0.05). In addition, the findings showed that the average amount of scar left by the wound in the two types of dressings examined is not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level (P-value > 0.05). The use of Colactive silver dressing has less pain, less itching in the donor area, and a shorter average recovery time than Vaseline gauze. The use of the Colactive plus Ag will be more effective than Vaseline gauze.

Role of Cyclical Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Healing of Skin Graft Donor Site

Aim of this case report is to assess the role of cyclical negative pressure wound therapy (CNPWT) in management of skin graft donor site healing. Clinical examination of the donor site before and after the use of cyclical negative pressure wound therapy (CNPWT) was done. Cyclical negative pressure wound therapy (CNPWT) is effective in healing of donor site wound. Cyclical negative pressure wound therapy (CNPWT) may be used in donor site healing.