Skin Grafting
Medical term: Skin Graft
Recovery: 2-4 weeks
Overview
Skin grafting is a surgical procedure in which skin is transplanted from one area of the body (the donor site) to cover a wound that cannot heal on its own. In orthopedic trauma, skin grafts are used to provide soft tissue coverage after open fractures, degloving injuries, or other traumatic wounds where the skin loss is too extensive for primary closure.
Our San Diego orthopedic trauma surgeons work closely with plastic surgery colleagues when needed to ensure optimal wound coverage and healing. Proper soft tissue management is critical to preventing infection and achieving the best possible recovery after complex traumatic injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is skin grafting needed in orthopedic trauma?
Skin grafting may be needed when a traumatic injury results in significant skin loss that cannot close on its own, or after open fractures where wound coverage is required to protect the underlying bone and hardware.