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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet Educ / Review of skin grafting in equine wounds: indications and te...
Equine veterinary education2024; 36(9); 484-493; doi: 10.1111/eve.13964

Review of skin grafting in equine wounds: indications and techniques.

Abstract: Skin grafting is a simple technique that can be performed by equine practitioners to improve cosmetic outcomes in wounds with large skin defects that would not heal functionally or cosmetically with standard wound therapy interventions. Successful skin grafting is not difficult but relies upon appropriate preparation of the wound bed and effective immobilisation of the grafted area after skin graft placement. Prior to grafting, the wound bed should be treated with a moist wound healing dressing to prepare the granulation tissue bed to receive the graft. For best results, skin grafts should be placed in wounds free of infection with healthy granulation tissue, and motion should be reduced in the graft region in the early postoperative period. When successful, skin grafts cover granulation tissue and encourage wound contraction and epithelialisation while decreasing exuberant granulation tissue resulting in a more cosmetic result. This review will advance practitioners' understanding of skin grafting in horses, including graft classification and techniques, donor site selection, recipient site preparation, postoperative management strategies to optimise graft retention and ongoing research in this field.
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Publication Date: 2024-02-28 PubMed ID: 39246829PubMed Central: PMC11376462DOI: 10.1111/eve.13964Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on discussing the process, implications and outcome of skin grafting in horses, for treating wounds that do not heal properly with standard treatment methods.

Understanding Skin Grafting in Equine Wounds

  • According to the article, skin grafting is seen as a fairly straightforward technique that can be conducted by practitioners to help enhance the cosmetic outcome in wounds that have significant skin defects. These are typically wounds that wouldn’t heal conventionally, both cosmetically and functionally, with standard wound therapy measures.
  • The success of skin grafting largely depends on the effective preparation of the wound bed and how well the grafted area is immobilised after the skin graft has been placed.

Preparation of the Wound and Post-Operation Period

  • Before grafting is done, the wound bed has to be treated with a moist wound healing dressing. This step is crucial in preparing the granulation tissue bed which will receive the graft. For optimal results, skin grafts should be placed on wounds that do not have any infection and have healthy granulation tissue.
  • Motion of the grafted region should be reduced as much as possible during the early postoperative period.

Outcome of Successful Skin Grafting and Wound Healing

  • When skin grafting is successful, it covers the granulation tissue, and facilitates the process of wound contraction and epithelialisation. This means that the wound begins to close and new skin starts forming over the wound.
  • At the same time, the successful skin grafting process diminishes the formation of exuberant granulation tissue, resulting in a better and more visually appealing outcome.

Graft Classification, Techniques and Postoperative Strategies

  • The article further explores how understanding graft classification, the selection of the donor site, the preparation of the recipient site, and postoperative management strategies can improve the retention of grafts.
  • Additionally, the discussion of ongoing research in the field can enable practitioners to refine their techniques and ensure more successful outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Williams ZJ, Pezzanite LM, Hendrickson DA. (2024). Review of skin grafting in equine wounds: indications and techniques. Equine Vet Educ, 36(9), 484-493. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13964

Publication

Equine veterinary education
ISSN: 0957-7734
NlmUniqueID: 9885274
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 9
Pages: 484-493

Researcher Affiliations

Williams, Zoë J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Pezzanite, Lynn M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Hendrickson, Dean A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.

Grant Funding

  • T32 TR004366 / NCATS NIH HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interest statement No conflicts of interest have been declared.

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