Open Skin Grafting

Open skin grafting, or the application of split-thickness skin grafts without a covering dressing, is not a new technique, but is one which has not received the attention or acceptance that it deserves. A search of the Quarterly Cumulative Index Medicus for the years 1916-1958 disclosed only 8 reports in the English language devoted primarily to the open method of grafting. 5-7,12,13,20,22,23 It is the purpose of this paper to review briefly the history of the development of this technique, to describe its use, and to discuss its merits, as judged by a 5-year experience with the method. According to Koch, 14 when Reverdin presented his paper in 1896 describing the first successful free skin transplant he stated that after applying the pinch grafts he "held them in place with a Diachylon Dressing." So far as could be determined in this review, no one questioned the need for a pressure