Skin Grafting

A skin graft or skin transplant procedure is used to treat areas of the body that have suffered extensive damage or loss of the skin due to trauma, burns, ulcers, infection or diseases such as cancer and are commonly performed as part of breast reconstruction surgery.

During a skin grafting procedure portions of skin (or a synthetic equivalent) are transplanted over a site on the body where the skin is either too scarce or too damaged to cover a wound. In the best case, healthy skin is harvested from a donor site on the patient’s own body (usually from the thigh, buttocks, abdominal wall, or scalp) but skin from other sources can be successfully transplanted when this is not an option.

There are two basic skin graft procedures: split-thickness grafts and full-thickness grafts. Split-thickness grafts are used when just a few layers of skin need to be transplanted and recovery time is usually several weeks. Full-thickness grafts are necessary when the complete layer of dermis needs to be replaced and recovery can take months. The choice of procedure depends on how deep and severe the injury or damage to the skin.

Skin grafting is a vital step for many reconstructive surgeries. The primary purposes for skin grafting are to reduce the course of treatment needed and to improve the appearance and functionality of the damaged area.

Dr. Rogers is board certified in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery and possesses the necessary skill for successfully performing many advanced reconstructive procedures including skin grafting.

Contact Leif Rogers, M.D., FACS Plastic Surgery for a consultation today.