Graft classification

Skin grafts can be

• Split-thickness - epidermis and variable amounts of dermis. Commonly taken from the thigh or buttocks. The donor site heals by re-epitheliasation from the dermis and surrounding skin and requires dressings.
• Full - thickness- epidermis and all the dermis. The donor site is either sutured directly or split-thickness skin grafted.
• Composite graft - small grafts containing skin and underlying cartilage or other tissue. Donor sites include, for example, ear skin and cartilage to reconstruct nasal alar rim defects.