Grafts for wound healing: A primer for the gynecologic surgeon

Wounds that have failed or are predestined not to heal offer special challenges to the advanced gynecologic surgeon. In such instances, grafts, in some form or another, often offer options to facilitate healing and closure. Similarly, grafts may allow the reestablishment of a cosmetically acceptable surface and a valuable function. This article reviews the different types of grafts that are frequently used by gynecologic surgeons and/or their plastic and reconstructive colleagues, presenting a rational set of definitions. This study also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each of the different types of grafts, settings where a given graft may be the optimal choice, and presents a general step-by-step methodology of how to perform and care for a given graft type.