Full-thickness versus split-thickness skin graft reconstruction of scalp defects with and without calvarium exposure

Objective: Compare full-thickness skin grafts versus split-thickness skin grafts in scalp reconstruction.

Study design: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent scalp reconstruction with skin grafts performed at a single institution from 2011 to 2016.

Methods: χ² or Fisher exact tests were used to compare graft integration and complication rates. The effects of graft type, defect type, graft size, and patient comorbidities on the likelihood of graft success and complications were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results: A hundred and twenty-five full-thickness and 93 split-thickness grafts were performed in 200 patients, including 68 defects (31.2%) with exposed calvarium. Full-thickness grafts required fewer average reconstructions (P = 0.002). A 92.8% of full-thickness grafts had complete graft integration compared with 78.5% of split-thickness grafts (P = 0.002). This difference was more evident in defects with exposed calvarium (87.2% vs. 47.6%, P ≤ 0.001). Despite higher rates of minor debridement, full-thickness grafts had less postoperative bone exposure and wound breakdown than split-thickness grafts on intact pericranium and exposed calvarium defects. Preoperative radiation, immunosuppression, and increased graft sizes were significant predictors of graft outcomes.

Conclusions: Skin grafts, especially full-thickness, provide a versatile, reliable, and simple approach for reconstructing medium to large scalp defects in the appropriate patient. Even on defects with bare calvarium, full-thickness grafts can succeed when a vascularized recipient bed is prepared. Defects with exposed bone, larger graft sizes, preoperative radiation, and immunosuppression may result in decreased graft take and increased complications.

Level of evidence: 3b.