Skin grafting, microsurgery, free flap procedure, and tissue expansion are a few types of plastic surgeries. Burn patients have to undergo skin grafting for the process of debriding. Skin graft involves removing skin from one area of the body and transplanting it to another. The process is done using a specialized skin-cutting instrument called Dermatome. Below is a handy guide on skin grafting.

1. When is skin drafts done
Skin grafts are suggested for patients with skin infection, open wounds, unhealed ulcers on the skin, and skin cancer. These are the most common reasons for a patient to undergo skin grafting.

2. Types of skin grafts
Full-thickness grafts and split-thickness are the two types of skin grafting procedures. In a full-thickness graft, the dermis and the epidermis layers are removed from the donor site like the groin, abdomen, and clavicle. Small and visible wounds are treated with full-thickness grafts. Such skin grafts usually blend well into the skin and have a pleasant cosmetic outcome. Split-thickness grafts involve removing the epidermis or the top layer of the donor site. Split thickness sites include – abdomen, back, and buttocks. Such grafts are usually undertaken to cover large areas. Split thickness grafts do not leave a fine mark on the skin; the skin grafted area looks paler than the adjoining skin.

3. Skin grafting procedure
The first step in the process is the removal of the skin from the donor site. An experienced surgeon will use appropriate skin grafting tools to carefully remove the skin from an area of the body according to the type of skin grafting. The removed skin is carefully placed on the transplant area. The next step involved packing the piece of skin into the transplant area. The surgeon secures the area with staples, stitches, and meshes in some cases. Adequate steps are taken during the process to minimize the quantity of skin that needs to be harvested. The last step is covering the newly transplanted area with a dressing to protect it from disturbances.

4. Care tips post skin grafting procedure
A person undergoing skin graft surgery will be hospitalized and monitored by doctors for a few days. The hospital will ensure that the person has no side effects, optimum performance of their vitals, and if the grafting process is settling in. A split-thickness graft is a more complicated process, requiring one to be in the hospital for a while. It is to make sure the donor and the graft site are healing well. It is advisable to avoid physical activity till the sites are completely healed. Hence, avoid physical activity that will result in stretching your muscles.