title: Histomorphometric analysis and regional variations of full thickness skin grafts in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) compare thickness of the epidermis and dermis of anatomically different donor sites in dogs, and (2) evaluate hair follicle damage during full thickness skin grafts (FTSG) preparation from anatomically different donor sites. Another objective was to compare the extent of agreement between gross and histologic quality of graft preparation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy Beagle dogs (n = 12).
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin samples were harvested from fresh cadavers free of gross dermatopathology and FTSG prepared. Regional, epidermal and dermal thickness, and hair follicle density in intact skin and FTSG specimens from different regions were determined by histomorphometric analysis. Hair follicle density in intact skin and FTSG specimens, and skin thickness measurements were compared among regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean epidermis and dermis thickness of the dorsal lumbar and lateral neck regions were significantly greater when compared with other sites. Total hair follicle (superficial and deep dermis) densities were significantly less in prepared FTSG versus intact skin specimens. The dorsal lumbar region had the highest hair follicle density.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thickness of the epidermis and dermis is dependent on body region. Hair follicle density in the FTSG specimens was decreased compared with intact skin specimens, which may affect hair regrowth in FTSG.
authors.affiliation: Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Department of Surgery, Southfield, MI, USA. jpsbhandal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bhandal
authors.forename: Ingeborg M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Langohr
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Degner
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Bryden J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walshaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary*