Histologic evaluation of intraoral skin grafts and pedicle flaps in humans

Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens from six split-thickness skin grafts and seven pedicle flaps was made two months to 15 years after intraoral cancer reconstruction. In the transplanted skin, there was persistence of all epidermal layers with production of orthokeratin and melanin, and persistence of papillary and reticular dermis with viable hair follicles and sweat glands. The junction of epidermis and mucosa was distinguished by a strongly positive PAS staining of the mucosal epithelium. There were no differences in the observations on split-thickness grafts and pedicle flaps. After 15 years of exposure to an intraoral environment, "mucosalization" of the skin was not evident.