COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF SPLIT-THICKNESS SKIN-GRAFTS TAKEN FROM THE SCALPAND THIGH IN CHILDREN

We compared 29 split thickness skin grafts taken from the thigh (group I) and 37 taken from the scalp (group II). The study was prospective with a follow-up period of 1 year. The average age was 29 months. Incl uded in group I were those children whose parents refused permission f or their hair to be shaved and those with burns to the head. We compar ed ease of technique, percentage of graft accepted, quality of the gra ft and after-effects of the donor site. Acceptance of the graft was cl ose to 100 per cent in both groups. Harvesting was more difficult from the scalp (P < 0.0001). The quality of the grafts was identical in bo th groups. After-effects at the donor site were absent in group II and evident in group I (P < 0.0001). There was no alopecia. The scalp rep resented a better donor site for split-thickness skin grafting than th e thigh in the child.