Overview

Skin Grafting is a surgical procedure to transplant skin from one area of the body to another to cover wounds or defects.

Skin grafting is crucial for covering large wounds, burns, surgical defects, and promoting wound healing.

Learn more in our comprehensive RxDx Dermatology Course

Indications

✓
Large Wounds

Surgical defects

✓
Burns

Thermal injuries

✓
Chronic Ulcers

Non-healing wounds

✓
Trauma

Accidental injuries

✓
Tumor Excision

Large defects

Contraindications

Absolute Contraindications

✗ Patient refusal
✗ Active infection

Relative Contraindications

✗ Poor wound bed
✗ Smoking
✗ Diabetes

📋 Equipment Checklist

Check off items as you gather them:

Pre-procedure Preparation

Preparation includes patient assessment, wound evaluation, donor site selection, and understanding graft types.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Wound Assessment

Evaluate wound characteristics.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Poor assessment
  • Wrong graft type

💡 Pro Tip:

Assess wound bed.

Step 2: Donor Site Selection

Choose appropriate donor site.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Wrong site
  • Inadequate size

💡 Pro Tip:

Consider cosmetic outcome.

Step 3: Graft Harvesting

Harvest skin graft.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Wrong thickness
  • Poor technique

💡 Pro Tip:

Use proper technique.

Step 4: Graft Preparation

Prepare graft for application.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Poor preparation
  • Wrong size

💡 Pro Tip:

Size appropriately.

Step 5: Graft Application

Apply graft to wound.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Poor fixation
  • Wrong technique

💡 Pro Tip:

Secure properly.

Step 6: Dressing

Apply appropriate dressing.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Poor dressing
  • Wrong technique

💡 Pro Tip:

Use proper dressing.

Master Graft with RxDx

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Post-procedure Care

Post-procedure care involves graft monitoring, wound care, and monitoring for graft failure.

Complications & Management

Complication Incidence Signs Management Prevention
Graft failure 5-15% Graft necrosis Debridement, regrafting Proper technique
Infection 3-8% Redness, pain, discharge Antibiotics Sterile technique
Contracture 10-20% Scar contracture Physical therapy Proper technique
Donor site complications 5-10% Donor site problems Wound care Proper technique

Clinical Pearls

💡

Always assess wound bed before grafting.

🎯

Choose appropriate graft type.

⚡

Harvest graft with proper technique.

🔍

Monitor graft viability.

📊

Document graft details.

🎨

Consider cosmetic outcome.

⚠️

Monitor for complications.