Skin Graft Wound Care

Wound Care - Skin Graft

Skin Graft

WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FULL THICKNESS SKIN GRAFT AND DONOR SITE

Your wound has been grafted with a piece of skin from a donor site. With proper care and attention, your graft and donor site will heal nicely.

GRAFT CARE: It is imperative that the bandage that has been secured in place remains in place for a full week or until your suture removal appointment. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT GET THE BANDAGE COVERING YOUR SKIN GRAFT WET OR THAT YOU MAKE ANY ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE IT. If for any reason your bandage comes off please contact the office so we can make arrangements to replace it.

DONOR SITE: You may remove the pressure bandage from your donor site in 24 hours.

Gently clean the suture line with warm water and mild soap. Carefully remove any crusting or scabbing that may have formed over the suture line. This may be done in the shower.
Cut a strip of the non-stick dressing (provided for you in your bandage kit).
Apply ointment to the strip (Vaseline or anti-bacterial ointment) and place over your suture line. Secure with paper tape or Cover- All.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SUTURES REMAIN COVERED EVERY DAY TO PREVENT THEM FROM DRYING OUT. BAND-AIDS DO NOT PROVIDE AN AIRTIGHT DRESSING.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Cigarette smoking or second hand smoke can constrict blood vessels and blood flow trying to form under your newly grafted skin. A new blood supply is necessary to insure that your new graft will survive. Please refrain from smoking or being in the presence of second hand smoke while you are healing.

Contact

PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

856-627-1900 Prompt 5

If you call the office after hours and need to speak with a doctor, the answering service will take your call and contact the doctor on call. The doctor on call will return your call as quickly as possible. If it is a true emergency, please contact or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

Have questions or concerns? Please call us at 856.627.1900