Useful Adjuncts to Harvest Split-Thickness Skin Grafts

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Split-thickness skin grafts are useful for repair of defects that are not amenable to primary closure or secondary intention healing. Because of the thinness of split-thickness skin grafts, damage to the graft and curling are common with standard harvesting techniques. Adjunctive methods for harvesting split-thickness skin grafts have not been well elucidated in the literature. METHODS: Lubrication and a tongue depressor facilitate even harvesting of the split-thickness skin graft. A semipermeable membrane is applied to the split-thickness skin graft donor site before harvesting the skin graft. This aids with harvesting and minimizes trauma to the graft. CONCLUSION: Use of lubrication, a tongue depressor, and a semipermeable membrane are useful adjuncts to harvesting split-thickness skin grafts.