Skin Grafting

• Skin cancer surgery
• Skin infections
• Deep burns
• Large, open wounds

Small portions of skin are shaved from an uninjured body part and are applied to the injured area. Depending on the amount of skin taken, the skin donor area will heal on its own or it may be closed with stitches.

Yes, there are two basic types: split-thickness and full-thickness grafts. The type used depends on the extent of the damage done to the area. A split-thickness graft removes the top layer of skin, the epidermis, and some of the deeper layer, the dermis, usually from areas like your thigh, abdomen, or buttocks. This type of graft is used to cover large areas.

Full-thickness grafts are typically used for smaller wounds on more visible parts of the body and involves removing all of the epidermis and dermis. This is because this graft blends better with the skin.

Expect to limit your activity for a few days after the surgery, so we can ensure that the graft and donor site are healing well.

Most patients recover in a few weeks. During the consultation, your doctor will discuss specific instructions you will need to follow post-surgery in order to make certain that you recover safely.

• Treats some types of open wounds
• Repairs skin defects
• Releases scars
• Assists in burn healing