title: Analyzing contraction of full thickness skin grafts in time: Choosing the donor site does matter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In reconstructive burn surgery full thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) are frequently preferred over split thickness skin grafts because they are known to provide superior esthetic results and less contraction. However, the contraction rate of FTSGs on the long term has never been studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  The surface area of FTSGs of consecutive patients was measured during surgery and at their regular follow up (at approximately 1, 6,13 and 52 weeks postoperatively) by means of 3D-stereophotogrammetry. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of age, recipient- and donor site and operation indication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  38 FTSGs in 26 patients, with a mean age of 37.4 (SD 21.9) were evaluated. A significant reduction in remaining surface area to 79.1% was observed after approximately 6 weeks (p=0.002), to 85.9% after approximately 13 weeks (p=0.040) and to 91.5% after approximately 52 weeks (p=0.033). Grafts excised from the trunk showed significantly less contraction than grafts excised from the extremities (94.0% vs. 75.7% p=0.036).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FTSGs showed a significant reduction in surface area, followed by a relaxation phase, but remained significantly smaller. Furthermore, the trunk should be preferred as donor site location over the extremities.
authors: Burn Centre, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MOVE Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Carlijn M
authors: CM
authors: Stekelenburg
authors: Burn Centre, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands.
authors: Janine M
authors: JM
authors: Simons
authors: Burn Centre, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MOVE Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Wim E
authors: WE
authors: Tuinebreijer
authors: Burn Centre, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MOVE Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: ppmvanzuijlen@me.com.
authors: Paul P M
authors: PP
authors: van Zuijlen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003286:Contracture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010780:Photogrammetry; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D060726:Torso; D060053:Transplant Donor Site; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burn surgery; Cicatrix, Burn scar contracture; Full thickness skin graft; Skin grafting