Split-thickness autogenous skin transplantation in the horse

Single or multiple split-thickness autogenous skin transplants were applied to 20 limb wounds of 17 horses. The surface area of the wounds ranged from 25 to 200 sq cm. Grafts 0.635-mm thick were collected by use of an electric dermatome and were expanded on a mesh dermatome. The expanded mesh grafts were applied to wounds on 3 horses 4 days after injury. For the other 14 horses, grafts were applied after a granulation tissue bed had formed. The grafts were secured to the recipient beds with sutures and a dressing composed of a foam pad and elastic adhesive tape or with the dressing alone. Further protection was provided by a plaster cast or bulky cotton bandage. Graft acceptance ranged from 50% to 100%, with an average of 88%. Epithelialization was complete within 14 to 21 days in most cases. Grafts with greater than 60% acceptance resulted in a healed wound that was considered cosmetically acceptable.