Skin Grafting Health Article

Aftercare

Once a skin graft has been put in place, even after it has healed, it must be maintained carefully. Patients who

have grafts on their legs should remain in bed for seven to 10 days, with their legs elevated. For several months, the patient should support the graft with an Ace bandage or Jobst stocking. Grafts in other areas of the body should be similarly supported after healing to decrease the amount of contracture.

Grafted skin does not contain sweat or oil glands, and should be lubricated daily for two to three months with a bland oil (e.g., mineral oil) to prevent drying and cracking.

Risks

The risks of skin grafting include those inherent in any surgical procedure that involves anesthesia. These include reactions to the medications, problems breathing, bleeding, and infection. In addition, the risks of an allograft procedure include transmission of infectious disease.

Normal results

A skin graft should provide significant improvement in the quality of the wound site, and may prevent the serious complications associated with burns or non-healing wounds.

Abnormal results

Failure of a graft can result from poor blood flow, swelling, or infection.

BOOKS

Stueber, Kristin, and Nelson H. Goldberg. "Wound Coverage: Grafts and Flaps." In Cutaneous Wounds, ed. F. Joseph Dagher. Mount Kisco, NY: Future Publishing, 1985.

PERIODICALS

McCarthy, Michael. "Bio-Engineered Tissues Move Towards the Clinic." Lancet 348 (16 Aug. 1996): 466

Myers, S. R., M. R. Machesney, R. M. Warwick, and P. D. Cussons. "Skin Storage." British Medical Journal 313 (24 Aug. 1996): 439.

Strange, Carolyn J. "Brave New Skin." Technology Review 100 (July 1997): 18-19.

Strange, Carolyn J. "Second Skins." FDA Consumer 31 (Jan./Feb. 1997): 13-17.

Ward, C. Gillon. "Burns." Journal of the American College of Surgeons 186 (Feb. 1998): 123-126.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Burn Association. 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1530, Chicago, IL 60611. (800) 548-2876. <http://www.ameriburn.org>.

American Diabetes Association. 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311. (800) 342-2383. <http://www.diabetes.org>.

Lisa Christenson, PhD