Following harvest of a split-thickness skin graft from the anterolateral thigh, the donor site is managed with a semi-permeable occlusive dressing. By which mechanism does the donor site heal, and over what typical time frame?
- A Contraction by myofibroblasts, complete in 6 to 8 weeks
- B Re-epithelialization from retained hair follicles and sweat gland ducts, complete in 7 to 14 days ✓
- C Migration of keratinocytes from the wound edges alone, complete in 4 to 6 weeks
- D Granulation followed by spontaneous epithelialization from marrow-derived stem cells, complete in 3 weeks
Correct answer: B. Re-epithelialization from retained hair follicles and sweat gland ducts, complete in 7 to 14 days
Explanation
Because a split-thickness graft leaves parts of the deeper dermis with adnexal structures behind, epidermal cells from hair follicle outer root sheaths and sweat ducts proliferate and resurface the donor site within about 7 to 14 days. Edge migration contributes minimally in a large area, and myofibroblast-mediated contraction is the mechanism of secondary intention healing, not donor-site re-epithelialization.
Reference: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.