Split thickness skin graft

Editors-In-Chief: Martin I. Newman, M.D., FACS, Cleveland Clinic Florida, [mailto:Newmanm@ccf.org]; Michel C. Samson, M.D., FRCSC, FACS [mailto:samsonm1@ccf.org]

Overview
A split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is a skin graft including the epidermis and part of the dermis. Its thickness depends on the donor site and the needs of the patient. A split-thickness skin graft can be processed through a skin mesher which cuts small slashes onto the graft, allowing it to expand up to nine times its size. Split-thickness grafts are frequently used as they can cover large areas and the rate of autorejection is low.