STORED SKIN - STORED TROUBLE

Quantitative bacteriology is presented on 102 consecutive split-skin g rafts. A sample of graft was cultured whenever skin was taken and when ever stored skin was used. Stored skin unused at 21 days was also cult ured. The percentage take of grafts was inversely proportional to numb er of organisms/g of skin (r = - 0.24, p < 0.05). Commonly used storag e conditions facilitated bacterial multiplication. There was no signif icant difference in organisms/g contaminating grafts for different sur geons, skin preparations, types of grafts, cutting tools or mode of an aesthesia. Male patients had a significantly greater count for initial grafts (p = 0.02), but after 3 weeks storage there was no sex differe nce.