Reconstructive Surgery
Skin Grafting (STSG & FTSG)
Covering wounds with transplanted skin when direct closure isn't possible
Overview
A skin graft transplants skin from one part of the body (the donor site) to cover a wound elsewhere that can't be closed directly — commonly used after burns, trauma, or tumour excision. Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) take a thin layer of skin and can cover larger areas, while full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG) take the entire thickness of the donor skin and are often chosen for smaller, more visible areas where colour and texture match matter more.
Unlike a flap, a graft has no blood supply of its own when it's placed — it survives initially by absorbing nutrients from the wound bed, then develops its own new blood supply over the following days, which is why the wound bed needs to be clean and well-vascularised, and why the graft is protected from movement in the early healing period.
Candidacy
Is Skin Grafting (STSG & FTSG) Right for You?
- A wound too large to close directly, following a burn, trauma, or tumour excision
- A clean, well-vascularised wound bed suitable for a graft to take
- A defect where the donor site can be reasonably matched to the recipient area, particularly for full-thickness grafts on visible sites
- Wounds not requiring the additional blood supply and bulk that only a flap can provide
What to Expect
Your Journey
- 01
Assessment
Evaluation of the wound bed and the most appropriate donor site and graft thickness for the defect being covered.
- 02
Grafting
Performed under general or local anaesthesia, harvesting skin from the donor site and securing it over the wound with sutures, staples, or dressings.
- 03
Early Healing
The graft is protected from movement and pressure for the first several days while it establishes its own blood supply — the period during which graft "take" is assessed.
Recovery
Recovery & Aftercare
Early graft take is usually checked at the first dressing change within the first week, with the graft site continuing to soften, flatten, and change colour over several months as it fully integrates with the surrounding skin. The donor site also needs its own period of wound care, and typically heals within one to two weeks depending on the graft thickness taken.
Case Gallery
Documented Cases
Graphic Medical Content
This gallery contains real surgical photography and clinical documentation, including open wounds, incisions, and traumatic injuries. It is shared for educational and professional purposes. Viewer discretion is advised.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a split-thickness and full-thickness graft?
A split-thickness graft takes a thin layer of skin, heals faster at the donor site, and can cover larger areas; a full-thickness graft takes the entire skin thickness, offers a better colour and texture match, but is limited to smaller defects and leaves a donor site that needs direct closure.
Why might a flap be used instead of a graft?
A graft depends entirely on the wound bed for its blood supply, so it works best on clean, well-vascularised wounds — a flap brings its own blood supply with it, making it the better choice for more complex, deeper, or poorly vascularised defects.
Will the graft look different from the surrounding skin?
Some difference in colour, texture, or contour compared with surrounding skin is common, and tends to soften over the following months as the graft matures.
More on Skin Grafting (STSG & FTSG)
Have Questions About Skin Grafting (STSG & FTSG)?
Every case is different. Get in touch to discuss your situation, or keep reading for more on candidacy, recovery, and what to expect.
All Procedures