February 05, 2022 | 4 minute read
Skin Grafting
Reconstructive surgery can be performed by employing several different techniques that manipulate and move body tissues. Skin grafting is a popular technique used for wound care and reconstruction. You will need to have a detailed discussion with the cosmetic surgeon before having skin grafting procedure performed.
Your surgeon may also ask you to submit to a psychological assessment, if necessary. Envy Aesthetic Center, led by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Gonzalez, provides skin grafting surgery for wound care to patients in El Paso, TX, and surrounding locations.
Basics of Skin Grafting
Skin graft refers to removing healthy skin from an unaffected body part and using it to cover damaged or lost skin. This can be done for open fractures or bone fractures that break through the skin. Skin grafting is also recommended for large wounds, such as from burns and cancer.
Skin Graft Types
- Partial or split thickness skin graft
A thin layer of skin is removed from a body area that heals well, such as the calf, thigh, or buttocks. The donor area may appear lighter or look pink for a few months depending on the skin. It may also leave a hardly noticeable or faint scar.
- Full thickness skin graft
In this procedure, the full thickness of skin is removed before stitching the area closed. Full thickness means that the top and underneath layers will be removed. Skin is usually removed from the upper arm, ear, neck, and groin area. Picking up new blood supply can prove to be difficult since the skin graft is thicker. The surgeon will have to leave the dressing in place for 5 to 7 days.
Procedure Details
Skin grafting procedure is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. This depends on the location and size of the affected area. Staples, stitches, special glue, or clips may be used for holding the skin graft in place. Sterile dressing will be used for covering the area until blood supply is restored. This can take 5 to 7 days. The surgeon may also place dressing on the donor area to prevent infection.
Why is a Skin Graft Performed?
These are a few situations in which skin graft plastic surgery is recommended:
- Body areas where there is a large amount of skin loss because of an infection
- Burns
- Reconstructive surgery or cosmetic reasons to heal skin loss or skin damage
- During skin cancer surgery
- Surgery that requires skin grafts for healing
- Pressure ulcers, venous ulcers or diabetic ulcers which don’t heal
- Large wounds
- Wounds that could not be closed properly after a surgery
Full thickness grafts are performed when there has been extensive loss of skin tissue. This can happen after severe infections or with open fractures in the lower leg.
Skin Graft Recovery
It can take 2 weeks for donor area to heal after a cosmetic surgery involving partial thickness skin grafts. In case of full thickness skin grafts, healing time may take 5 to 10 days since the area is small and closed with stitches. Envy Aesthetic Center, led by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Marco Gonzalez, receives patients from El Paso, TX, and nearby areas for skin grafting wound care surgery.
Contact El Paso, TX Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez
For more information on Plastic Surgery (cirugía plástica) and Non-Surgical Medical Spa procedures and treatments, please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (cirujano plástico), Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez (Dr. G) by clicking here or calling 915-600-2639.
Serving patients in El Paso Texas, Las Cruces New Mexico, Ciudad Juárez Mexico and surrounding areas.
CONTACTE A EL PASO, TX CIRUJANO PLÁSTICO CERTIFICADO POR LA JUNTA Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez
Para obtener más información sobre cirugía plástica y procedimientos y tratamientos de spa médico no quirúrgico, comuníquese con las oficinas del cirujano plástico certificado por la junta, Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez (Dr. G) haciendo clic aquí o llamando 915-600-2639.
Sirviendo a pacientes en El Paso Texas, Las Cruces Nuevo México, Ciudad Juárez México y áreas circundantes.
