A Novel Method of Dermis Graft for Better Outcome

The two major concerns in skin grafting are poor color match in the recipient site and the donor site morbidity. A new skin graft(dermis graft; deepithelialized split thickness skin graft), was used to minimize these problems. The important aspects of this method involve immediate return of epidermis to the donor site and restoration of the recipient site's epidermis by inducing epithelialization from adjacent skin. From April of 2001 to March of 2004, dermis graft and a conventional split thickness skin graft(STSG) were performed in 53 and 33 patients, respectively. The healing time, the scar condition, and the patients' satisfaction were compared. Regarding the recipient sites, the wounds of the dermis graft(n=53) and STSG(n=33) had reepithelialized after 15.5±1.9 and 11.8±1.6 days, respectively. The scarring were less severe on the dermis graft in terms of pigmentation, height, and vascularity(p