What is skin graft surgery in children?
Skin grafts are small sections of healthy skin taken from one part of the body and put on another part. They are used to treat skin damaged by burns, infection, or injury. When possible, the doctor takes the healthy skin from a place that's hard to see or is often covered by clothes.
In many cases, skin grafts only use the top layer of skin. This is called a split-thickness graft. When more layers are needed, it's called a full-thickness graft. The kind your child needs depends on how much damage there is and where it is.
In a split-thickness graft, the doctor removes a strip of healthy skin with a special tool. This "donor" skin usually comes from the inner thigh or the rear end (buttocks). Then the doctor puts the strip on the damaged area and attaches it with stitches or staples.
If the area is large, the doctor may "mesh" the donor skin. Meshing is a process to make small cuts in the donor skin. These cuts allow the donor skin to stretch to cover the graft area. Meshing makes it possible to cover a larger area with a smaller amount of donor skin. Several strips of donor skin may be used to cover larger areas. Your child will grow a new layer of skin in the place where the donor skin was removed.
In a full-thickness graft, only small pieces of skin are used. This is because the skin doesn't grow back where it was removed, and the edges have to be stitched together. Skin for this type of graft usually comes from the upper arm or lower belly. But other areas may be used to best match the colour or texture of the area that needs the graft.
Your child will get medicine to make your child sleep during surgery. After surgery, your child will have a bandage over the graft. The doctor will remove this in 4 to 10 days. The stitches or staples will be removed in 7 to 10 days.
For small grafts, your child may be able to go home the same day. For large grafts or ones in difficult areas, your child may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or more.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Surgery can be stressful for both your child and you. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your child's surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Talk to your child about the surgery. Tell your child that it will help the damaged skin heal. Healthcare providers know how to take care of children. They will do all they can to make it easier for your child.
- Plan for your child's recovery time. Your child may need more of your time right after the surgery, both for care and for comfort.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- Tell the doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products your child takes. Some may increase the risk of problems during the surgery. Your doctor will tell you if your child should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.