Longitudinal progress of transepidermal water loss, color, and sensory elements in split-thickness skin graft donor sites in East Asians

Abstract

Background There is little research available that describes the natural progression of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site wounds after re-epithelialization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal clinical progress of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), color, and sensory elements in STSG donor sites in East Asians.

Methods Eighteen patients participated in this study. The TEWL, color, pressure threshold, and static two-point discrimination were evaluated from the center and upper lateral corner of the wounds and adjacent normal skin preoperatively and at 1, 2, 7, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results The age was negatively correlated with preoperative values of TEWL (r = 0.49, P = 0.039). The elevated TEWL level from the STSG donor sites did not return to normal until 12 months after surgery. In the measurement of skin color, the elevated L* value normalized after 12 months following surgery, while the elevated a* and b* values persisted. In the sensory testing, there were no significant changes during the observation period except at 2 months postoperatively, representing a significant increase of pressure threshold in the periphery.

Conclusions In East Asians, elevated skin lightness level in STSG donor sites returned to normal at 12 months postoperatively, while the elevated TEWL and skin redness levels were improved but were not normalized at 12 months after surgery.