A skin graft is a very thin layer of healthy skin removed from another area of the body (such as the thigh or buttocks) and transplanted onto another area of the body that is missing or damaged (often by a burn).
A skin graft will be required when a burn is deep or if the wound has not healed within two to three weeks. The optimal benefits of a skin graft are that it closes the wound, improves mobility and aims to improve the long-term appearance of the scar.
What happens during a skin graft?
A skin graft is performed by a surgeon in an operating room under a general anaesthetic. The first step is the debridement (removal) of dead tissue from the burn to expose the healthy tissue underneath. Skin is then removed from the donor site of the body and placed over the healthy debrided skin. The skin graft is then attached to the surrounding healthy skin with either glue or sutures.
The donor site
The donor site looks and feels like a graze (or gravel rash) and can be quite painful for up to 48 hours. There can be a moderate amount of ooze seen on the dressing covering the donor site. This dressing will remain intact for up to 7 days, it’s smell can be unpleasant at this stage. The donor area usually takes 10 -14 days to heal. The redness of the donor site will fade gradually but may remain pink for up to 6 months after healing.
The graft site
The graft’s dressing must stay on for approximately 7 days after the procedure. If the skin graft crosses a joint, a splint (a moulded plastic device) may be used to stabilise the limb in its correct position while the graft heals. The dressing may also be attached to a negative pressure wound therapy machine.
Dressing care
It’s important to keep the dressings on the donor and graft sites dry and clean while they heal. The dressings should not be removed until advised by your child’s care team.
You should sponge bath your child while the dressings are on.
Your child should only do gentle activities and avoid contact sports and swimming and while the skin graft is healing.
Pain relief
Your child may require regular pain relief (every four to six hours when awake) for two to three days after they are discharged from hospital.
When to seek help
Contact the hospital where the skin graft was performed if:
- Your child becomes unwell with a rash, diarrhoea, vomiting, temperature, lethargic, or not eating and drinking as normal.
- Your child has excessive pain which is not resolved by simple analgesia such as Paracetamol or Neurofen.
- The dressing gets wet or falls off.
- splints are removed or become loose.
Developed by the Burns Unit, Queensland Children's Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.
Resource ID: FS008 Reviewed: February 2024
Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.
Last updated: February 2024