Assessment of Donor Site Scar Outcomes, Healing Time, and Postoperative Complications Associated With Split Thickness Skin Grafts Harvested From the Hair Bearing Scalp.

BACKGROUND: The hair-bearing scalp is an underused donor site for split-thickness skin grafts (STSG). OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the donor site scar outcomes, healing times, and complications associated with STSG harvested from the hair-bearing scalp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During this prospective observational study, donor site healing was assessed on postoperative Days 8 and 30. Donor site scar outcomes were quantified at 1 month using the Vancouver Scar Scale. All postoperative complications were collected during the 30-day follow-up window. RESULTS: 80% of donor sites was fully healed at 1-week follow-up. Vancouver Scar Scale score at the donor site was 0.26 at 1-month follow-up. All patients experienced full hair regrowth. Maximum pain scores were reported on the night of surgery (Vancouver Scar Scale 1.8), with quick resolution in days to follow. No major complications were reported. All STSG obtained from the scalp had full take and good texture and color match with the recipient site. CONCLUSION: The hair-bearing scalp is an excellent donor site for split-thickness skin graft harvesting.

Assessment of Pain, Healing Time, and Postoperative Complications in the Healing of Auricular Defects After Secondary Intent Healing Versus Split Thickness Skin Graft Placement.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of auricular defects after Mohs surgery is challenging given the prominence of the ear and its complex 3-dimensional architecture. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of postoperative pain, healing time, and postoperative complications of auricular defects after split-thickness skin graft (STSG) placement versus secondary intent healing (SIH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During this prospective, observational study, 30 patients recorded their daily maximum postoperative pain using the numeric pain rating scale from postoperative days 0 to 8. Surgical site healing was assessed at postoperative day 8 and 30. All postoperative complications were collected during the 30-day follow-up window. RESULTS: Patients undergoing STSG experienced significantly more pain during the first 3 postoperative days than patients in the SIH group. Maximum pain was experienced on the night of surgery, with a mean pain score of 3.6 in the STSG groups versus 0.8 in the SIH group. Healing was significantly faster in the STSG group, with 87% of patients fully healed at 1 week versus 21% in the SIH group. No major complications were experienced in either group. CONCLUSION: Split-thickness skin graft and SIH healing are well tolerated and provide excellent repair choices for auricular defects.