title: Evaluation of natural change of skin function in split-thickness skin grafts by noninvasive bioengineering methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are considered the mainstay for the treatment of large full-thickness wounds. There have been few studies reporting the natural change of the skin function in STSGs after procedure, however.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to evaluate the natural change of the skin function in STSG using noninvasive bioengineering methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients were eligible for the study. The skin functions of the graft and the control site were evaluated by an evaporimeter, corneometer, mexameter, and cutometer at Postoperation Days 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of the graft was maintained around that of the normal skin. The values of the skin hydration testing generally decreased during the follow-up period. Erythema was highly maintained for the whole period. For the pigmentation, the ratio tended to increase after 6 months. The skin pliability of the graft was abruptly decreased at 0.5 month, and it recovered from 3 to 12 months. The value did not reach that of the normal skin, however.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that the STSGs had changed within the frame of the skin function, including the TEWL, epidermal hydration, color, and pliability, throughout 1 year after surgery. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam St Mar'y Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: You Jeong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi-Yeon
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Paik-Kwon
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyung Ok
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D002648:Child; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible