Skin care, Dermatology and Allergic Diseases

Skin Grafting

Skin grafting is a closure technique used in dermatology most commonly to close wounds created by the removal of skin cancer. Although currently less favoured than flap closures, grafting can produce a good cosmetic result. Skin grafts, in contrast to flaps, are completely removed from their blood supply, whereas flaps remain attached to a blood supply via a pedicle. Skin grafts are less technically difficult but can be more time-consuming as the procedure creates a second surgical site. Skin grafts can be divided into several categories based on the composition of the graft with each type of graft having unique risks and indications.

Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) are composed of the epidermis and a superficial part of the dermis.

Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG) contain both the full epidermis and dermis.

Composite grafts contain skin and another type of tissue, usually cartilage.