Surgery>>>>>Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Question 1#

All of the following are true about split-thickness skin grafts EXCEPT:

A. Degree of contraction is dependent on amount of dermis in graft
B. High reliability of take
C. Healing with abnormal pigmentation more common in thin than thick grafts
D. Meshing grafts improve their ultimate cosmetic appearance

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

Many of the characteristics of a split-thickness graft are determined by the amount of dermis present. Less dermis translates into less primary contraction (the degree to which a graft shrinks in surface area after harvesting and before grafting), more secondary contraction (the degree to which a graft shrinks during healing), and better chance of graft survival. Thin split grafts have low primary contraction, high secondary contraction, and high reliability of graft take, often even in imperfect recipient beds. Thin grafts, however, tend to heal with abnormal pigmentation and poor durability compared with thick split grafts and full-thickness grafts. Split grafts may be meshed to expand the surface area that can be covered.