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Skin Graft Care
Graft Site
- Vac device-Leave in place at the settings that were set in the operating room.
- The Vac will remain in place 3-5 days depending on the graft.
- DO NOT CHANGE THE VAC
- Please Call for the reasons below
- Vac device malfunction
- Excessive bleeding in the canister
- Excessive bleeding around the dressing
- The dressing will be removed by Dr. Tuma or his staff at your next appointment.
- Do not allow your home health or visiting nurse to remove the Vac
Donor Site-Skin Harvest Site
- There will be a clear dressing in place
- It is normal for there to be blood and fluid under this dressing.
- Leave dressing alone until seen by Dr. Tuma or his staff
- Execptions Include
- Leaking dressing
- Pus under dressing
- Redness around dressing
- Foul odor
- If any of these are present, remove clear dressing
- Wash site with soap and water
- Pat dry
- Apply antibiotic ointment and telfa pad once daily
- Continue daily antibiotic ointment and pad for 3 days then stop.
- After 3 days apply skin moisturizers 4-5x daily to site.
Long Term Care of Sites
- Shower daily washing both graft and donor sites with soap and water
- Gently pat both areas dry
- Apply moisturizer to sites 4-5x daily
- Thin coat
- Liberally applied
- It is normal to have some drainage from the sites both clear and or bloody
- It takes one year for wounds to heal it will improve with time
- AVOID SUN EXPOSURE FOR ONE YEAR OR INSTRUCTED BY DR. TUMA
