【Learning Key Points】

1. Skin grafting involves taking healthy skin from another part of the body (such as the thigh, abdomen, or back) and placing it over a skin defect. This helps promote wound healing and reduce the risk of secondary infection.
2. Elevate the affected limb with a pillow as instructed by your doctor. Avoid pressure on the skin graft site and keep the graft properly immobilized and supported.
3. In general, it takes about one week for the skin graft to attach to and establish itself at the graft site. However, the grafted area may still need to be immobilized with a cast or splint. The cast or splint should only be removed after evaluation by your doctor. Activities may need to be restricted for two to three weeks or longer to allow the grafted area to heal properly.

I.Introduction

When a skin defect is too large or severe to heal on its own, your doctor may recommend skin grafting to promote wound healing. If skin grafting is necessary, please follow the instructions below.

II. The Day Before Skin Grafting Surgery

1. After the physician has explained the procedure, complete and sign the surgical consent form and anesthesia consent form.
2. After receiving an explanation from the physician, complete and sign the consent form for self-paid special medical materials, if applicable.
3. Complete the required electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, blood tests, and relevant consultations.
4. If the scalp is used as the donor site, the hair should be shaved or trimmed beforehand.
5. Do not eat or drink after midnight. Patients undergoing local anesthesia may eat and drink as instructed by the medical team.
6. Practice deep-breathing and coughing exercises to help prevent postoperative pulmonary complications.

III. The Day of Skin Grafting Surgery

1. Continue to fast and refrain from drinking as instructed. Patients undergoing local anesthesia are exempt unless otherwise instructed by the physician.
2. Remove jewelry, removable dentures, artificial eyes, contact lenses, nail polish, and other personal items before surgery.
3. Remove underwear and undergarments, change into a hospital surgical gown, and wait for notification from the operating room.
4. An intravenous (IV) line may be inserted if necessary.
5. When the operating room staff arrives to take you to the operating room, please empty your bladder first.

IV. Postoperative Care After Skin Grafting

1. An intravenous (IV) catheter and/or urinary catheter may be left in place after surgery. Keep all tubes and catheters securely fixed and ensure that they remain patent.
2. Elevate the affected limb with pillows as instructed by the physician. Avoid pressure on the grafted area and maintain appropriate positioning, immobilization, and support.
3. If the graft site is on the lower extremity, bed rest may be required. Do not get out of bed or walk without permission. You may begin ambulation only after receiving approval from the physician.
4. If the graft site is on the buttocks, a prone position may be recommended. Take care when turning to avoid pressure or friction on the grafted area.
5. If the graft site is on an extremity, a cast or splint may be used for immobilization. Do not remove it without permission, and restrict activities according to the physician's instructions.
6. Under normal circumstances, the grafted skin begins to survive and establish adequate blood supply within approximately one week. However, the cast or splint should remain in place until the physician evaluates the graft and determines that it can be removed. Activity may need to be restricted for at least 2–3 weeks to ensure complete healing of the graft. The duration of activity restriction depends on the graft site, the extent of the graft, and the physician's assessment.
7. After the grafted wound has healed, the skin may become dry. Baby oil or another moisturizer may be applied as instructed by the physician.
8. Do not attempt to forcibly remove the dressing covering the donor site, as this may damage the skin and delay wound healing.
9. If there is unusual swelling, increased pain, bleeding or oozing, or any other discomfort at the donor or graft site, notify the healthcare staff immediately.
10. In older adults and patients with chronic diseases, wound healing may be slower, and a longer period of immobilization may be required.
11. Nutritional support: Consume a high-calorie, high-protein diet, such as fish, meat, eggs, and other protein-rich foods, to support wound healing.
12. Do not smoke, including exposure to secondhand smoke, and do not consume alcohol.
13. The dressing over the donor site generally does not need to be changed every day unless it becomes wet or soaked with drainage. During dressing changes, usually only the outermost gauze dressing needs to be replaced. The transparent film or dressing layer closest to the wound should not be removed or replaced unless otherwise instructed. If a designated skin substitute or alternative dressing material is used, follow the physician's instructions for wound care. Do not forcibly remove the skin substitute or dressing covering the donor site.
14. The donor-site wound generally gradually heals within approximately two weeks after surgery. Follow the physician's instructions regarding the use of baby oil or another appropriate moisturizer on the donor site to prevent excessive dryness and discomfort and to protect the newly formed skin from injury.
15. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult the healthcare staff at any time.

V. Conclusion

After skin grafting surgery, follow your physician's instructions regarding activity restriction and avoiding excessive pressure on the grafted area. Get adequate rest, maintain a balanced and nutritious diet, and follow the prescribed wound-care plan. Attend regular follow-up appointments to ensure that the wound is healing properly. Maintaining a positive psychological state may also contribute to overall physical and emotional recovery.

VI. References

1. Elseth, A., & Nunez Lopez, O. (2025, February 15). Wound grafts. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564382/
2. Leon-Villapalos, J., & Dziewulski, P. (2024). Skin autografting. UpToDate. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/skin-autografting