SKIN GRAFT : TECHNIQUE, INDICATIONS AND OUTCOMES

Background: Skin graft is one of the most indispensable techniques in plastic surgery. They constitute a common method of covering skin defects. The literature comparing methods of graft application and subsequent outcomes is poor, but reports indicate a graft failure rate between 2 and 30%. In the present review, we describe how to perform skin grafting successfully, their main indications, some variation of skin grafting and possible outcomes.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively on all skin grafts performed by the plastic and aesthetic department in tangier,morocco between februry 2022 and october 2023. Data included for each patient basic demographics such as age, gender, graft indication and the site, application method, comorbidities, length of stay, and graft outcomes including graft take post-operatively.

Results: There were 68 grafts performed on 63 patients, median age 41 years (4–78 years), men were the predominent recipients in our study (69%) ,split-thickness skin grafts were the most used type of grafting, with 53 (77%) performed for defects after oncologic resection, autologous skin graft was the only option for all patients. Successful grafts (>80% take) were performed in 65 (95%) patients. The overall graft complication rate was 4.4% (3 of 68 grafts). Only one of them underwent re-operation for graft failure. No patient has received prophylactic antibiotics to reduce risk of graft failure.

Conclusion: Skin grafts were performed successfully in the majority of patients. Graft complication and failure rates compare well with the world literature. Infection was the only major complication causing the graft failure.