Skin transplant; Skin autografting; FTSG; STSG; Split thickness skin graft; Full thickness skin graft

Skin graft

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A skin graft is a patch of skin that is removed by surgery from one area of the body and transplanted, or attached, to another area.

Description

Your surgery will probably be done while you are under general anesthesia (you will be unconscious and will not feel pain).

Healthy skin is taken from a place on your body called the donor site. Most people who are having a skin graft have a split-thickness skin graft. This takes the two top layers of skin from the donor site (the epidermis) and the layer under the epidermis (the dermis).

The donor site can be any area of the body. Most times, it is an area that is hidden by clothes, such as the buttock or inner thigh.

The graft is carefully spread on the bare area where it is being transplanted. It is held in place either by gentle pressure from a well-padded dressing that covers it, or by staples or a few small stitches. The donor-site area is covered with a sterile dressing for 3 to 5 days.

People with deeper tissue loss may need a full-thickness skin graft. This requires an entire thickness of skin from the donor site, not just the top two layers.

A full-thickness skin graft is a more complicated procedure. The flap of skin from the donor site includes the muscles and blood supply. It is transplanted to the area of the graft. Common donor sites for full-thickness skin grafts include the chest wall, back, or abdominal wall.

Why the Procedure is Performed

Skin grafts may be recommended for:

• Areas where there has been infection that caused a large amount of skin loss
• Burns
• Cosmetic reasons or reconstructive surgeries where there has been skin damage or skin loss
• Skin cancer surgery
• Surgeries that need skin grafts to heal
• Venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, or diabetic ulcers that do not heal
• Very large wounds
• When the surgeon is unable to close a wound properly

Full-thickness grafts are done when a lot of tissue is lost. This can happen with open fractures of the lower leg, or after severe infections.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medicines
• Problems with breathing

Risks for this surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Chronic pain (rarely)
• Infection
• Loss of grafted skin (the graft not healing, or the graft healing slowly)
• Reduced or lost skin sensation, or increased sensitivity
• Scarring
• Skin discoloration
• Uneven skin surface

Before the Procedure

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• What drugs you are taking, even drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription.
• If you have been drinking a lot of alcohol.

During the days before your surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• If you smoke, try to stop.

If you have diabetes, follow your diet and take your medicines as usual.

On the day of the surgery:

• Usually you will be asked not to drink or eat anything for 8 to 12 hours before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.

Prepare your home. Plan to have the help you will need from your spouse, a friend, or a neighbor.

Make sure the bathroom and the rest of the house are set up safely so that you do not trip or fall. Make sure you can get in and out of your house easily.

After the Procedure

You should recover quickly after split-thickness skin grafting, except in cases of major burns. The skin graft must be protected from trauma, such as being hit, or heavy stretching for at least 2 to 3 weeks.

Depending on the location of the graft, you may need to wear a dressing for 1 to 2 weeks. Avoid exercise that might stretch or injure the graft for 3 to 4 weeks. Some people need physical therapy after their skin graft.

Full-thickness grafts need a longer recovery period. Most people with these grafts need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 weeks.

Outlook (Prognosis)

New blood vessels begin growing within 36 hours. Most skin grafts are successful, but some do not heal well. You may need a second graft.

References

Mackay DR, Miraliakbari R, eds. Skin grafts. Operative Techniques in General Story. December 2006; 8(4);197-206.

soure:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002982.htm

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skin cancer

 skin cancer

How can people with dark skin get skin cancer?

Although dark skin does not burn in the sun as easily as fair skin, everyone is at risk for skin cancer. Even people who don't burn are at risk for skin cancer. It doesn't matter whether you consider your skin light, dark, or somewhere in between. You are at risk for skin cancer. Being in the sun can damage your skin. Sunlight causes damage through ultraviolet, or UV rays, (they make up just one part of sunlight). Two parts of UV, UVA and UVB, can both cause damage to skin. Also, the sun isn't the only cause of skin cancer. There are other causes. That's why skin cancer may be found in places on the body never exposed to the sun.

Is it true that only people with light skin get skin cancer?

No. Anyone can get skin cancer. It's more common among people with a light (fair) skin tone, but skin cancer can affect anyone. Skin cancer can affect both men and women.

How can I find skin cancer early?

Talk with your doctor if you see any changes on your skin that do not go away within one month.

Check the skin on all surfaces of your body, even in your mouth.

Watch for a new mole or other new growth on your skin.

Check for changes in the appearance of an old growth on the skin or scar (especially a burn scar).

Watch for a patch of skin that is a different color and becomes darker or changes color.

Watch for a sore that does not heal – it may bleed or form a crust.

Check your nails for a dark band. Check with your doctor if you see changes, such as if the dark band begins to spread.

When skin cancer is found early, it can be treated more easily.

What does skin cancer look like?

There are many different types of skin cancer (such as melanoma and basal cell skin cancer). Each type looks different. Also, skin cancer in people with dark skin often looks different from skin cancer in people with fair skin. A change on the skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This may be any new growth on the skin, a sore that doesn't heal, or a change in an old growth.

	Skin cancer can look like a thick and jagged scar.		It can look like a smooth, waxy bump or a firm red lump.
	It can look like a dark (or black) bump. The bump may seem waxy or shiny.		Sometimes skin cancer can look like a dark patch on your palm or the bottom of your foot. Or it can look like a dark band under your nail.

If you notice a change on your skin, see your doctor. Don't wait until the change looks like the more advanced skin cancers in these photos.

How can I protect myself from skin cancer?

Have your doctor check your skin if you are concerned about a change.
Your doctor may take a sample of your skin to check for cancer cells.
Ask your doctor about your risk of skin cancer:

• Some skin conditions and certain medicines (such as some antibiotics or hormones) may make your skin more sensitive to damage from the sun.
• Medicines or medical conditions (such as HIV) that suppress the immune system may make you more likely to develop skin cancer.
• Having scars or skin ulcers increases your risk.
• Exposure to a high level of arsenic (a poison that is sometimes found in well water or pesticides) increases your risk.

Stay out of the sun as much as you can. Whenever possible, avoid exposure to the sun from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you work or play outside, then…

• Try to wear long sleeves, long pants, and a hat that shades your face, ears, and neck with a brim all around.
• Use sunscreen with a label that says it is broad spectrum or is at least SPF 15 and can filter both UVA and UVB rays.
• Wear sunglasses that filter UV to protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes.
• If you are concerned about having a low level of vitamin D from not being in the sun, talk with your doctor about supplements.

Don't use tanning beds, tanning booths, or sunlamps.

 source:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention/skin/anyone-can-get-skin-cancer

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