“A Little Skin in the Game”: Full Thickness Skin Grafting in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

Abstract

Congenital orthopaedic anomalies and acquired pediatric wounds of the extremities frequently require reconstruction of the soft tissue envelope. In many of these circumstances, full-thickness skin grafting (FTSG) is a reliable and appropriate reconstructive option. However, FTSG harvest is rarely discussed in the orthopaedic literature. We present a reliable and reproducible method of full-thickness skin grafting that is easily performed. In this technique, we harvest a full-thickness skin graft from the lower abdomen using a symmetric transverse midline suprapubic incision (i.e., Pfannenstiel incision). This donor site allows for abundant skin graft harvest while providing a concealed location and the potential for additional graft harvest. Finally, we discuss the critical importance of postoperative recipient site dressings to optimize skin graft take.