Ten days after harvesting a split-thickness skin graft from the right thigh, how has the donor site healed?

• A Granulation followed by contraction and epithelial migration from the wound edges over 3 to 4 weeks
• B Full re-epithelialisation from retained hair follicle and sweat gland epithelium in 7 to 14 days ✓
• C It requires a second graft harvested from the opposite thigh
• D It heals by fibrous union with permanent loss of skin appendages

Explanation

B split-thickness graft leaves behind dermis containing hair follicles and sweat glands whose keratinocytes migrate outward and resurface the raw area within 7 to 14 days, leaving a permanent pigment change but no need for coverage. Option A describes healing of a full-thickness defect where all adnexa are removed, which applies to the recipient wound rather than the donor site.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.