Epinephrine spray-bottle technique for harvesting skin grafts

Topical epinephrine/saline solution in a concentration of 1:100,000 in a spray bottle can be used to prepare skin graft donor sites for harvesting of split-thickness skin. Additional wetting of the dermal bed during harvesting achieves minimal blood loss. The spray application of epinephrine/saline solution is superior to the use of epinephrine/saline compresses placed after harvesting. Skin prewetting and continuous misting during harvesting avoid the establishment of vigorous bleeding in the dermal bed from which the skin is taken and thus lessen total blood loss.