title: Full-thickness grafting from the ulnar border of the palm: outcome and donor-site morbidity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Full-thickness grafting from the ulnar border of the palm is an acceptable choice to cover appropriately sized defects of the volar surface of the hand. The outcome and donor-site morbidity are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients with variably located defects were treated with this technique. Mean age was 26.6 years and mean graft size was 3.8 × 1.6 cm.
  
  
  METHODS
  A number 15 scalpel was used to harvest the graft in a subdermal plane. The graft was secured with a tie-over dressing. The donor-site was closed primary with a continuous intradermal or "over-and-over" suture with few interrupted stitches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Color and texture match were adequate in 91% of the grafts. A contour defect with loss of the normal convexity of the ulnar border of the palm was noticed in 77% of donor sites. Hypertrophic scarring occurred in 3 patients (14%). Sensation in the 4 grafts covering fingertip areas was adequate (mean static 2 point discrimination: 5.5 mm). Mean follow-up was 12.7 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique is useful in appropriately sized defects of the volar hand (within 6 × 3 cm). Donor-site morbidity and alternative techniques should be adequately discussed with the patient preoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. ahmhash@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hashem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna; D055815:Young Adult