Immediate skin grafting on microvascular free tissue transfers

Clinical reports of pedicled muscle flaps and microvascular tissue transfers include two distinctly different strategies for skin grafting. Some authors describe immediate grafting, whereas others recommend a three- to 5-day interval between flap transfer and grafting. No systematic analysis of either strategy has been reported. We reviewed 51 consecutive successful free tissue transfers that involved immediate skin grafting. Ninety-six percent of the grafts survived without complication. Bot muscle and fascial flaps supported skin grafts. Skin grafts survived infected recipient sites, pedicle revisions, partial flap necrosis, and secondary operation. We conclude that immediate skin grafting on free tissue transfers is reliable.