Skin Thickness of the Anterior, Anteromedial, and Anterolateral Thigh: A Cadaveric Study for Split-Skin Graft Donor Sites.
10.5999/aps.2014.41.6.673
- Author:
Jeffrey C Y CHAN
1
;
John WARD
;
Fabio QUONDAMATTEO
;
Peter DOCKERY
;
John L KELLY
Author Information
1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. chancy@eircom.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Skin surgery;
Skin;
Photomicrography;
Cadaver;
Histology
- MeSH:
Basement Membrane;
Cadaver*;
Dermatologic Surgical Procedures;
Dermis;
Humans;
Microscopy;
Observer Variation;
Photomicrography;
Skin*;
Thigh*;
Tissue Donors*;
Transplants*
- From:Archives of Plastic Surgery
2014;41(6):673-678
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The depth of graft harvest and the residual dermis available for reepithelization primarily influence the healing of split-skin graft donor sites. When the thigh region is chosen, the authors hypothesize based on thickness measurements that the anterolateral region is the optimal donor site. METHODS: Full-thickness skin specimens were sampled from the anteromedial, anterior, and anterolateral regions of human cadavers. Skin specimens were cut perpendicularly with a custom-made precision apparatus to avoid the overestimation of thickness measurements. The combined epidermal and dermal thicknesses (overall skin thickness) were measured using a digital calliper. The specimens were histologically stained to visualize their basement membrane, and microscopy images were captured. Since the epidermal thickness varies across the specimen, a stereological method was used to eliminate observer bias. RESULTS: Epidermal thickness represented 2.5% to 9.9% of the overall skin thickness. There was a significant difference in epidermal thickness from one region to another (P<0.05). The anterolateral thigh region had the most consistent and highest mean epidermal thickness (60+/-3.2 microm). We observed that overall skin thickness increased laterally from the anteromedial region to the anterior and anterolateral regions of the thigh. The overall skin thickness measured 1,032+/-435 microm in the anteromedial region compared to 1,220+/-257 microm in the anterolateral region. CONCLUSIONS: Based on skin thickness measurements, the anterolateral thigh had the thickest epidermal and dermal layers. We suggest that the anterolateral thigh region is the optimal donor site for split-skin graft harvests from the thigh.
