Skin graft

Description:
While the patient is awake, sleepy (sedated), or deep asleep and pain-free (local anesthesia or general anesthesia), healthy skin is taken from elsewhere on the patient's body using a dermatome (skin-cutting instrument). The graft is carefully spread on the bare area to be covered. It is held in place either by gentle pressure from a well-padded dressing or by a few small stitches. The raw donor area is covered with a sterile nonadherent dressing for a couple of days to protect it from infection.

Indications:
Skin grafts may be recommended for:
  • extensive wounds
  • burns
  • specific surgeries that may require skin grafts for healing to occur.



What to Expect After:
New blood vessels begin growing from the recipient area into the transplanted skin within 36 hours. Most skin grafts are successful but in some cases they don't heal well and require additional surgery.

Convalescence:
Allow about 6 weeks for recovery from surgery. Avoid vigorous exercise during this time.

Risks:
Risks for any anesthesia are:

Risks for any surgery are:



Cost:
The costs of any surgery varies significantly between surgeons, medical facilities, and regions of the country. Patients who are younger, sicker, or need more extensive surgery will require more intensive and expensive treatment.

Surgery charges can be separated into five parts: 1) the surgeon's fee, 2) the anesthesiologist's fee, 3) the hospital charges, which includes nursing care and the operating room, 4) the medications, and 5) additional charges.

1. Surgeon's fee: average from $300. to $1,200
2. Anesthesiologist's fee: averages $350 to $400 per hour
3. Hospital charges: basic rate averages $1,500 to $1,800 per day (more for the intensive care unit (ICU) or private rooms)
4. Medication charges: $200 to $400
5. Additional charges: assisting surgeon, treatment of complications, diagnostic procedures (such as blood or X-ray exams), medical supplies, or equipment use.

Insurance coverage for surgery expenses depends on many factors and should be explored for each individual instance.