Split Skin Grafting

Split Skin Grafting (SSG) for Diabetic Wounds

Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers can expose deep subcutaneous tissues, tendons, and bones, leaving them vulnerable to severe osteomyelitis or gangrene. Once the wound bed is thoroughly cleansed and healthy granulation tissue has formed, a Split Skin Graft (SSG) is performed to provide direct skin cover and achieve closure of the wound.

Procedure Details

The surgery involves harvesting a thin, partial-thickness sheet of healthy skin (epidermis and part of the dermis) from a donor site, usually the patient's thigh. This harvested skin is placed over the prepared diabetic wound bed and secured with fine sutures, staples, or specialized tissue glue. The grafted area is covered with a sterile, pressure-bolster dressing to ensure the graft adheres and gains blood supply from the underlying wound bed.

Healing and Donor Site Care

The donor site on the thigh heals naturally within 10 to 14 days, similar to a superficial graze. The graft site takes about 2 weeks to stabilize. Split skin grafting is a highly successful limb-salvage procedure that prevents further deep tissue infections and accelerates the healing process.