Delayed exposed skin grafting: a 10 year experience of the technique.
We describe the routine use of the technique of delayed exposed skin grafting in 2062 patients over a 10 year period. Points of technique have been reviewed and tested in a prospective trial. Delayed graft application requires some 20 minutes (range 5-90 minutes) of nursing time, and daily care of 10 to 20 minutes. Wound healing was achieved in all patients in this series even when a second application of stored skin was applied, without the need for a further operation. Take was achieved in 75% of patients by 8 days after application. The technique offers a saving in theatre time for the patient and the surgeon, although hospital in-patient time is increased.
D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing