Evaluation of natural change of skin function in split-thickness skin grafts by noninvasive bioengineering methods.
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.
Kim
You Jeong
YJ
Department of Dermatology, Kangnam St Mar'y Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Mi-Yeon
MY
Lee
Paik-Kwon
PK
Kim
Hyung Ok
HO
Park
Young Min
YM
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