Background: Loss of skin integrity is one of the most
common problems in Plastic surgery. Split thickness skin
graft is the gold standard in coverage of raw areas but it
carries multiple complications like donor site morbidity. The
dermal graft may add another autologous option for wound
coverage with a concealed donor site scar.
Aim: The aim of our study is to assess the safety, limitations,
and complications of split thickness dermal graft in
coverage of raw areas and to compare it to the standard Split
thickness skin graft.
Patients and Methods: The study was conducted on 38
patients with raw areas, who attended the outpatient clinics
and Emergency Department of Plastic Surgery Department,
Beni-Suef University Hospital between October 2019 to
October 2021. The mean age was 50 years (range 5-55 years).
Raw areas were divided and covered by both split thickness
dermal graft (STDG) and split thickness skin graft (STSG).
Comparison of donor and recipient site of dermal graft and
the standard skin graft was documented using POSAS (Patient
Observer Scar Assessment Scale).
Results: The Split Thickness skin graft take was complete
in 37/38 cases. While Split Dermal Graft Take was complete
in 33/38 patients. Most Dermal graft failure occurred in large
raw areas. The scar of the dermal graft donor site was better
than the standard skin graft donor site regarding pain, itching,
color, and texture using POSAS.
Conclusion: Split thickness dermal graft had proved to
be a valuable adjunct and wholly autologous option in achieving
permanent raw areas coverage with decreased donor site
morbidity, especially in small sized raw areas.