Procedure
Skin Graft Surgery in Cyprus
Skin taken from an unaffected area of the patient's own body and transplanted to cover a burn. Split-thickness and full-thickness grafts differ in how much skin is taken, which donor sites are used, and how long recovery takes.
Procedure facts
- Duration
- Split-thickness grafting may take less than an hour; full-thickness grafting takes longer
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Hospital stay
- Same-day discharge after split-thickness grafting; full-thickness grafting may require one or more nights
Overview
The consequences of a burn injury can be severe. Beyond the cosmetic concerns, burns cause functional impairment. Immediate and accurate treatment of a burn is critical, and usually requires surgical treatment and the right type of wound dressing afterwards.
What a skin graft is
A skin graft is a piece of skin removed from an unaffected, healthy area of the body and transplanted to the burned area to cover the defect. Because the skin comes from the patient’s own body, the risk of transplant rejection is eliminated. The most common donor sites are the inner thigh and the buttocks, where the resulting scars are not easily visible.
What the operation involves
Anaesthesia General anaesthesia, performed by a certified anaesthesiologist.
Harvesting the graft Skin is taken from the donor site by one of two methods.
- Split-thickness skin graft. The surgeon removes the two top skin layers from the epidermis of the donor site, together with the layer beneath the epidermis, the dermis.
- Full-thickness skin graft. A more complex procedure, requiring removal of the whole thickness of the skin from the donor site. The ideal donor sites are the abdomen, back, neck and chest.
Placing the graft The graft is transplanted onto the burned area and sutured, stapled, or covered with a well-padded dressing. A sterile dressing covers the donor site for up to five days.
Recovery
Recovery depends on the extent of the burn injury and the complexity of the surgery. Patients recover faster after split-thickness skin grafting than after full-thickness grafting; those having full-thickness grafting may need to stay in hospital.
After split-thickness grafting, light activities can start the next day. Most patients need a dressing to protect the site for a couple of weeks, and should avoid any exercise that could injure or dislodge the graft. Skincare and sun protection are necessary during healing.
Where the surgery takes place
Skin graft surgery for burns is performed in accredited medical centres in Cyprus (Nicosia and Limassol), Greece (Athens) and Malta (Sliema).
Risks and considerations
Skin graft surgery carries the general risks of surgery, and its particular consideration is that a graft depends on establishing a new blood supply where it is placed. Where this is incomplete, part or all of a graft can fail and the area may need to be grafted again. There are two wounds — the grafted area and the site the skin was taken from — and both leave permanent marks; the donor site can be as uncomfortable as the graft in the early days. Grafted skin often differs in colour and texture from the skin around it, and can feel tight as it matures. Infection and delayed healing are the other risks. What a graft can achieve in a particular case, and how it is likely to look over time, is discussed at the consultation.
Questions patients ask
How long does skin graft surgery take?
It depends on the type of procedure and the extent of the burn. Split-thickness skin grafting might take less than an hour, but full-thickness grafting lasts longer and may also require spending one or more nights in hospital.
Is a skin graft major surgery?
Skin graft surgery is a major procedure with potential risks and complications, and should only be performed by skilled, experienced, board-certified reconstructive plastic surgeons.
Is a skin graft painful?
Patients do not feel any pain during the surgery, as it is performed under local or general anaesthesia. Pain and discomfort afterwards are normal and are controlled with pain medication.
Do skin grafts leave scars?
Skin grafting leaves two scars — the scar at the donor site and the scar where the graft has been transplanted. Where the donor site is the buttocks or the inner thigh, the scarring in those areas is hardly noticeable.
Which type of burn injury requires skin grafting?
Second and third-degree burn injuries and full-thickness burns require skin graft surgery. Second-degree burns extend through the epidermis into the dermis beneath it; third-degree burns destroy both layers and can also damage muscles, tendons, nerve endings and bones. A first-degree or superficial burn, which affects the epidermis alone, may heal naturally.
What is skin grafting used for?
Beyond burn injuries, skin grafting is used for cosmetic reasons in areas where the skin has been damaged, for infections that cause skin loss, for large wounds, in skin cancer treatment, and for venous, pressure or diabetic ulcers that are difficult to heal.
Are skin grafts an outpatient procedure?
Patients having split-thickness grafting can leave hospital the same day. Full-thickness grafting may require a stay in hospital, depending on the complexity of the case.
Where it is performed
- Surgery in Cyprus
- The Surgery Center 3i, Strovolos
- Surgery in Athens
- Iatriko Athinon, Marousi Mediterraneo Hospital, Glyfada
Where yours takes place is agreed at the consultation.
How we quote
A quotation follows consultation, because what it costs depends on what the operation actually involves for you — the technique, the time in theatre, and whether anything is being addressed at the same time. We do not publish price lists and we do not quote before examining you.
Arranging a consultation
Book a slot in the clinic diary directly, or send the details of what you are considering and we will reply with the times we have.