What should you know about ftsg skin graft?

The surgeon removes a piece of skin containing its full thickness, usually from an area that can be closed directly. The graft is shaped to fit the wound and secured with sutures, a dressing or both. Small blood vessels from the wound bed must connect with the graft for it to settle. The donor site and graft site therefore both need protection. Colour, thickness and texture may differ at first and can change as healing continues.

Keep dressings dry and undisturbed for the period your surgical team recommends, and avoid stretching, rubbing or pressure over the graft. Take only advised pain relief, attend dressing checks and protect healed skin from strong sunlight. Once cleared, gentle scar care may help. A fractional laser treatment may be discussed later for selected scar concerns, but it is not a substitute for graft protection during early healing.

Contact the surgical team promptly for increasing pain, bleeding through the dressing, worsening swelling, foul drainage, spreading redness, fever or a graft that becomes dusky, pale or lifted. Do not wait for a routine appointment if the dressing becomes soaked or the wound opens. Follow the team's specific instructions because graft locations and medical conditions affect care.

Ask why a full-thickness graft suits the wound, where the donor skin will come from, how both sites will be closed, and how movement should be limited. Discuss scar appearance, colour change, dressing timing, warning signs and possible later revisions.