title: Skin grafting. Historic and practical approaches.
abstract: In this article, the authors have explored the anatomy, physiology, mechanics, and biology of skin grafts. Armed with this knowledge one can predict or anticipate potential complications and thereby avoid them. The authors emphasized the importance of converting chronic infected wounds to acute sterile wounds prior to skin grafting. The authors have discussed the need to assess the patient's vascular status. Skin grafting, when properly used, can be a valuable tool, an adjunct for wound closure and reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Veterans Administration Connecticut Healthcare System/Yale University Podiatric Surgical Residency, New Haven, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Novicki
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Blume
mesh_terms: D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017768:Skin, Artificial