Skin Grafts
What Is Skin Grafting?
Normally, our bodies are able to heal injuries and replace damaged skin
tissue from minor first degree burns. However a more severe
burn injury, such as a second or third degree burn, can hinder the skin’s ability
to naturally repair itself. When this happens, the damaged skin can be
replaced in a process known as skin grafting where healthy skin is surgically
transplanted to the site of an injury. Healthy tissue can be taken from
your own body, called an autograft, or from another person, called an
allograft. An autograft is generally considered to be the safest option
and carries the lowest risk for bodily rejection.
Two basic forms of skin graft procedures exist:
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Split-level thickness graft: This type of procedure involves only the top two layers of skin, the
epidermis and dermis. Once transplanted, the skin does not grow with the
rest of the body and multiple grafts may be needed over time.
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Full-thickness grafts: In addition to the top layers of skin, these grafts will also transplant
associated blood vessels and muscles. Full-thickness grafts often continue
to grow naturally after surgery, but often have longer recovery times.
While skin grafts can greatly improve a burn victim’s quality of
life, surgery can become prohibitively expensive. Depending on the severity
of the burn, victims may require multiple operations as well as years
of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Wounds can leave scarring, reminding
victims of the traumatic experience and transplanted skin can lead to
complications from infections or bodily rejection. The surgery itself
can also be particularly risky, potentially resulting in excessive bleeding,
infection, the loss of grafted skin, or nerve damage.
Birmingham Burn Injury Attorneys – Call (888) 906-3955
Dealing with the repercussions of a burn injury can be difficult enough
without having to worry about the complexities of taking legal action.
If you have suffered an injury through no fault of your own and now require
skin graft surgery to repair the damage, contact
Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law. With more than 25 years of experience protecting for the rights of burn
injury victims, our team of Birmingham skin graft injury lawyers can fight
to secure the monetary restitution you need to move forward and rebuild
your life.
We will not charge you a dime unless we win your case. Schedule a free consultation
today and see how we can help you.