The use of split-thickness dermal grafts to resurface full thickness skin defects

Brent A. Rubis, Dimitrios Danikas, Michael Neumeister, W. Geoff Williams, Hans Suchy, Stephen M. Milner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coverage of large burns may be difficult when skin graft donor sites are limited. This study explored the use of the split-thickness dermal graft (STDG), as an alternative to the standard split-thickness skin graft (STSG). STSGs and STDGs were compared experimentally by their ability to resurface full thickness skin defects in a pig model. Both types of grafts were harvested from the backs of six pigs and placed on full thickness wounds. From the same donor site a 0.012 in. thick STSG and another two 0.012 in. thick STDGs were harvested. Thus the deep surface of grafts measured 0.012, 0.024 and 0.036 in. from the skin surface, respectively. All grafts were placed on 6 cm × 6 cm full thickness wounds. The donor areas healed at 1 week. Epithelialization of the STDGs, was assessed by computerized planimetry, and was 100% at 4 weeks. Graft biopsies revealed that STSGs were significant thinner than STDGs at 1 week (P=0.0422, 0.0135), 2 weeks (P=0.0240) and 4 weeks (P=0.0516, 0.0425). We conclude that STDGs my provide definitive coverage of full thickness skin deficits in a pig wound model.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)752-759
Number of pages8
JournalBurns
Volume28
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Burn wounds
  • Dermal grafts
  • Split-thickness skin grafts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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