title: Patterns of contraction in human full thickness skin grafts.
abstract: It is taught that full thickness skin grafts contract minimally in humans. We aimed to examine this assumption. In a prospective study, a scale photograph of each of 54 human full thickness skin grafts was taken at operation once the graft had been inset, but before the application of any tie-over or other dressing. For 50 grafts, a subsequent scale photograph was taken at follow-up (mean 111 days post-operation). The photographs were digitised and the areas of the grafts recorded. Significant area reduction in human full thickness skin grafts was found (P< 0.01, mean area change -38%). Greater contraction was associated with infection than without (P = 0.02, mean area change with infection -48%, without infection -33%). Full thickness skin grafts applied to the peri-orbital area and nose contracted more than those applied to the scalp and temples (P = 0.002). No differences in contraction were found between donor sites, between methods of fixation, between males and females or between those taking no medication and those taking steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Area change did not correlate with initial graft area, patient age or time to second photograph.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Plastic and Burn Surgery, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: La Hausse-Brown
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents