[Skin transplantation]

Transplantation of skin was adopted as a clinical method for wound closure soon after Reverdin's introduction of skin grafts in 1869. Split-skin grafts are grafts which consist of epidermis and a portion of dermis, and full thickness skin grafts are grafts consisting of epidermis and the entire dermis including adenexal structures. Composite grafts with skin consist of cartilage and skin coverings. Skin grafts can also be grouped according to source in autograft, isograft, allograft and xenograft. Split-thickness grafts are used to close wounds that cannot be managed by suturing, full thickness-grafts or local flaps. In burn wound surgery and surgery related to necrotizing fasciitis, split-thickness skin grafting is a lifesaving treatment. In vaginal agenesis split-thickness skin graft is used to reconstruct the vagina. In the oral cavity split-thickness skin graft can be used to close wounds and cover cancelleous bone. Split-thickness skin graft can also be used to cover open abdominal wounds. Full-thickness skin grafts are used to reconstruct facial defects after removal of skin cancer. It is also used in hand surgery and for reconstruction of hypospadia. Composite graft can be used for nasal reconstruction. In this article, the indications for skin grafting, the surgical procedures and the follow-up are presented. Skin banking are presented to demonstrate the possibilities for storing skin allograft. Artificial skin or bio-engineered skin substitutes are presently undergoing clinical studies.