Split Thickness Skin Graft - Autograft
About
- Patient’s own skin taken from a donor site
- Final step in wound closure
- May have decreased sensation and possible numbness
Appearance
- Initially pink or red from underlying blood vessels and early healing
- Meshed/web-like appearance
- Heals to match surrounding skin tone, but will likely always have some visible scarring
Dressing Frequency
- Initially every 3-4 days
- Progress to daily dressing changes
Dressing Care
- Gently cleanse with Vashe and pat dry
- Cover with Mepitel, Vashe-soaked gauze, and dry gauze or ABD
- Wrap with Kerlix
- Transition to daily Xeroform and Bacitracin as healing progresses
- Once completely epithelialized, keep skin moistened with Aquaphor and gently massage
Risk for Graft Failure
- Shearing (graft movement)
- Hematoma
- Infection
STSG post op day #5:
Mesh like appearance, nicely adhered to wound bed
Mepitel Dressing to cover graft