Application of split-thickness dermal grafts in deep partial- and full-thickness burns: a new source of auto-skin grafting

Early tangential excision of nonviable burn tissue, followed by immediate skin grafting with autograft or allograft, has resulted in the improvement of burn patient survival. The aim of this study was to add split-thickness dermal grafts (STDGs) as a new source of auto-skin grafting tool to our reconstructive armamentarium in deep partial- and full-thickness burns and soft tissue defects. The authors successfully applied STDGs along with split-thickness skin grafts as a new source of auto-skin grafting in 11 deep partial- and full-thickness burns over a period of 1 year without any significant donor site morbidity. Dermal graft take was complete in all but one patient. There was no donor site healing problem, and donor site epithelization was completed generally 1 week later than split-thickness skin graft by semi-open technique. Autologous split-thickness skin grafting still remains the standard therapy for burn wound closure but may be in limited availability in severe burns. The authors conclude that STDGs may be a new source of auto-skin grafting tool in extensive deep partial- and full-thickness burns.