title: The use of full-thickness skin grafts for the repair of defects on the dorsal hand and digits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hand is a complex part of the human body and plays an important role in our everyday lives. It is critical to preserve manual function when repairing surgical defects on the dorsum of the hand and digits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the effectiveness of the full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) in the repair of surgical defects on the dorsum of the hand and digits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a retrospective review of photographic and written records and person-to-person interviews, the authors evaluated 19 patients who underwent FTSG repair of 21 defects on the dorsum of the hand and digits after Mohs micrographic surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases, the FTSG was durable, yielded good cosmetic results, and maintained normal function of the hand.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FTSG is a good option for repairing surgical defects on the dorsum of the hand and digits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Gloster
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Daoud
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Roenigk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous