Skin Grafting

Wounds that are too wide and difficult to close with sutures alone can be treated with a skin graft. The experienced specialists at the Burns and Complex Wounds Management Center at New York Plastic Surgical Group, a Division of Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, can reconstruct skin after traumatic injury.

Please contact our skin grafting team at New York Plastic Surgical Group, serving NYC and Long Island patients and those from around the world. We can provide you with more information in a one-on-one consultation on procedures designed to treat the effects of burns and trauma on skin and bone structure.

Skin Grafting

A skin graft is a patch of healthy skin taken from an area of your body called a donor site. Skin graft procedures are designed to help those who suffer from traumatic injury and wounds that are difficult or even impossible to close with traditional methods.

The three basic types of skin grafts include:

Split-Thickness Skin Graft

A common procedure to treat severe burn wounds, the split-thickness skin graft uses layers of close-to-the-surface skin. Donor sites are chosen in the least conspicuous areas when possible; however, the location of the skin graft area will depend in part by the size and color of the skin patch which is needed. Skin in the donor area will grow back, but it may be slightly lighter in pigmentation.

Full-Thickness Skin Graft

Deep and large burns may be treated by a full-thickness skin graft. This treatment can also cover jointed areas where maximum skin movement and elasticity are required. During this procedure, a full-thickness (all skin layers) section of skin is lifted from the donor site by one of our plastic surgeons. Patients can expect a thin-line scar from direct wound closure at the donor site.

Composite Skin Graft

When a wound needs more underlying support to cover it, a composite skin graft is often used. This requires the lifting of all layers of skin, fat, and sometimes underlying cartilage from the donor area. Patients can expect a straight-line scar after the donor site has been closed; however, this should fade with time.

Consultations

The New York Plastic Surgical Group is one of the leading facilities in the area offering burn and complex wound care. Please contact us to schedule a consultation. One of our plastic and reconstructive surgeons will meet with you and discuss options that can help you renew your skin and replace lost bone.

The Doctors at New York Plastic Surgical Group have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.