Skin Grafts And Flaps Flashcards
What is the Reconstruction Ladder?
An approach to wound management with successively more complex methods of treatment
This concept emphasizes starting with the least complex method and progressively increasing complexity as appropriate.
What is a Free flap?
A complex surgical method involving tissue transfer without its original blood supply
Typically used in more advanced stages of reconstruction.
What is a Pedicle flap?
A flap of tissue that remains attached to its original blood supply during transfer
This method is less complex than a free flap.
What is a Random pattern flap?
A flap that relies on random blood supply rather than a defined vascular pedicle
Used in various reconstructive procedures.
Define Full thickness graft.
Tissue composed of epidermis and varying degrees of dermis, that does not carry its own blood supply
Survival requires the generation of new blood vessels from the recipient site bed.
Define Split thickness graft.
A graft that includes the epidermis and part of the dermis, allowing it to have a better chance of survival
These grafts are often taken from inconspicuous areas.
What is Delayed closure?
A technique where the wound is left open for a period before being closed surgically
This method can improve healing in certain cases.
What factors must be considered for Donor Site Selection?
Size, hair pattern, texture, thickness of skin, and colour
Facial grafts are best if taken from ‘blush zones’ above the clavicle.
What is Primary closure?
A method of closing a wound immediately after injury or surgery
This is the simplest form of wound closure.
What is Healing by secondary intention?
A healing process where the wound is left open and heals naturally from the edges inward
This method is often used for larger or contaminated wounds.
List the phases of skin graft ‘take’.
- Plasmatic imbibition: diffusion of nutrition from recipient site (first 48 h)
- Inoculation: growth of vessels from bed and graft toward each other (d 2-3)
- Neovascular ingrowth: growth of new vessels which vascularize graft (d 3-5)
These phases are crucial for successful graft survival.
What are the requirements for graft survival?
- Well-vascularized bed (recipient site).
- Good contact between graft and recipient bed ( Staples, sutures, splinting, and pressure dressings- are used to prevent movement/ shearing of graft and hematoma or seroma formation ).
- Low bacterial count at recipient site (<105/cm3).
- coagulation begins as soon as graft is placed on bed.
What are common reasons for graft loss?
- Hematoma/seroma
- Infection
- Mechanical force (e.g. shearing, pressure)
These factors can compromise the integrity and success of the graft.
Whats skin graft?
tissue composed of epidermis and varying degrees of dermis, that does not carry its own blood supply.
Survival requires the generation of new blood vessels from the (recipient site bed).
What is an autograft?
A graft from the same individual
Autografts are often preferred due to lower rejection rates.
What is an allograft?
A graft from the same species but different individual
Also known as a homograft.
What is a xenograft?
A graft from a different species
An example is a graft taken from porcine sources.
What are the two classifications of skin grafts by thickness?
Split Thickness Skin Graft and Full Thickness Skin Graft
These classifications impact healing and aesthetic outcomes.
What does a Split Thickness Skin Graft consist of?
Epidermis and part of dermis
This type of graft is more reliable in terms of take and survival.
What does a Full Thickness Skin Graft consist of?
Epidermis and all of dermis
It is less reliable but can provide better aesthetic outcomes.
How does the healing process differ between Split Thickness and Full Thickness Skin Grafts?
Split Thickness heals via dermal appendages; Full Thickness requires primary closure
This affects the donor site recovery time.