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Hicks et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2022;9:2 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2021.65
Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Skin and composite grafts

1
Katherine Hicks , J. Regan Thomas 2
1
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77019, USA.
2
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Northwestern McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. Katherine Hicks, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical
Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0521, USA. E-mail: kehicks@utmb.edu

How to cite this article: Hicks K, Thomas JR. Skin and composite grafts. Plast Aesthet Res 2022;9:2.
https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2021.65

Received: 15 Jun 2021 First Decision: 26 Oct 2021 Revised: 22 Nov 2021 Accepted: 6 Dec 2021 Published: 14 Jan 2022

Academic Editor: Wen-Guo Cui Copy Editor: Yue-Yue Zhang Production Editor: Yue-Yue Zhang

Abstract
Skin grafts may be used for coverage of facial defects in situations in which alternative methods of reconstruction,
such as local flaps, are not an option. They may also be beneficial for patients who wish to avoid or who are not
good candidates for more complex reconstruction. Full-thickness skin grafts often have a better color and texture
match to adjacent skin when compared to split-thickness grafts; however, split-thickness grafts have lower
metabolic demand and increased survival rate. Composite grafts may be very useful in the repair of defects with
unique contour and support requirements, such as the nasal ala and eyelid. With all grafts, thoughtful planning and
sound surgical technique are critical in achieving the best possible functional and aesthetic result.

Keywords: Split-thickness skin grafts, full-thickness skin grafts, composite grafts, nasal reconstruction, eyelid
reconstruction

Skin grafts may be used for coverage of facial defects in situations in which alternative methods of
reconstruction, such as local flaps, are not an option. They may also be beneficial for patients who wish to
avoid or who are not good candidates for more complex reconstruction. Full-thickness skin grafts often
have a better color and texture match to adjacent skin when compared to split-thickness grafts; however,
split-thickness grafts have lower metabolic demand and increased survival rate. Composite grafts may be
very useful in the repair of defects with unique contour and support requirements, such as the nasal ala and
eyelid. With all grafts, thoughtful planning and sound surgical technique are critical in achieving the best

© The Author(s) 2022. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and
indicate if changes were made.

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