Do you need a referral for a skin graft?

A skin graft uses healthy skin from one area of the body to cover a wound elsewhere. The surgical team must assess the wound’s size, depth, blood supply, infection risk, movement, and the amount of skin available at a donor site. A plastic surgeon or another suitable surgical specialist may decide whether a graft is appropriate or whether another form of wound closure would heal better.

The referral may come from an emergency clinician, surgeon, wound-care team, dermatologist, or primary-care clinician. It normally includes the cause of the wound, previous procedures, current dressings, allergies, medicines, and any signs of infection.

Ask the clinic you plan to use whether it requires a referral and which records should accompany it. Keep the wound covered as instructed, avoid applying unapproved products, and bring details of when the injury or operation occurred. If the graft is being considered after another operation, ask that surgical team to coordinate the referral and send the operative notes.

A referral does not mean a graft is already decided. The specialist will examine the wound and discuss donor-site care, dressings, movement restrictions, scar expectations, and follow-up.

Get urgent medical help for uncontrolled bleeding, severe or escalating pain, spreading redness, foul-smelling drainage, fever, numbness, or a wound that becomes suddenly pale, dark, or cold. After graft surgery, contact the treating team quickly if the graft or donor site lifts, separates, bleeds persistently, or develops increasing swelling or drainage.

Ask which specialist should assess you, whether the referral is already in progress, how the donor site will be chosen, what wound care is needed, and which activities should be limited during healing.