During the first 24 to 48 hours after placement of a split-thickness skin graft, before capillary anastomoses form, the graft is nourished by which process?

• A Plasmatic imbibition ✓
• B Inosculation of graft and host vessels
• C Neovascular ingrowth from the recipient bed
• D Lymphatic absorption from subdermal plexus

Explanation

Graft take occurs in three overlapping stages. In plasmatic imbibition the graft survives on nutrient-rich plasma absorbed into its cells from the recipient bed for the first 24 to 48 hours. Inosculation, direct linking of graft and host vessels, and true neovascularisation follow from about 48 hours onward. B graft cannot rely on its own dermal plexus because the graft is avascular until take is complete.

Reference: Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.