title: Perichondrial cutaneous graft. An alternative in composite skin grafting.
abstract: The perichondrial cutaneous graft (PCCG) is a composite skin graft that is an alternative to the full-thickness skin graft (FTSG). The PCCG is harvested from the ear and contains epidermis, dermis, scant subcutaneous tissue, and the perichondrial layer. This experiment examined the differences in contraction properties of PCCGs and FTSGs. Twenty FTSGs and 20 PCCGs were harvested from the ears and grafted onto the backs of seven New Zealand white rabbits. The results confirmed that the PCCG provides superior coverage to the FTSGs with regard to thickness, contraction properties, and hair retention. This graft has potential in reconstructive head and neck surgery. When skin grafting is appropriate, the PCCG may provide superior results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Portuese
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stucker
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grafton
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shockley
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gage-White
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000637:transplantation*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D008722:Methods; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors