Burn Skin Graft Surgery: Why Satisfaction Is Low And Fixing Graft Scars

When skin regeneration is difficult due to severe burns of third degree or higher, or when there is concern about disability due to contracture, skin grafting may be considered. However, since the surgery focuses on functional recovery, the cosmetic results are often less satisfactory than expected. Today, we would like to share information with those considering skin graft surgery after a burn and about scar treatment after grafting.

Skin grafting is a method of taking one's own skin from areas with less exposure, such as the thighs or buttocks, and grafting it onto the burn site. Since one's own skin is used, it may seem easy to expect natural results. In fact, from a functional perspective, skin grafting is a relatively simple surgery compared to organ transplantation and plays an important role in restoring bodily functions.

Many people think that if difficult surgeries like heart or lung transplants have advanced, skin grafting would be even easier. However, there is an important difference. While the heart or lungs only need to function well, the skin is a visible organ. For this reason, not only the functional aspect but also the cosmetic perspective can be important. From this cosmetic perspective, it is difficult to say that the results of skin grafting are always satisfactory.

Even though the grafted skin is your own, there are several reasons why it differs from the surrounding healthy skin.

Differences in Skin by Area

The skin on different parts of our body varies in color, texture, and characteristics. The grafted skin retains the color and texture of the original donor site, so it is bound to differ significantly from the healthy skin of the recipient site. If you compare your arm and leg closely, you may notice a greater difference than you expect.

Scars Occurring During the Grafting Process

Another important reason arises during the grafting process. When healthy skin is attached to the damaged area, scars form beneath the grafted skin. No matter how healthy the skin is grafted, damage already occurs during the attachment process, and due to the extensive tissue damage of the burn area itself, a wide range of scars is inevitably left beneath the grafted skin. This causes the color, texture, and shape of the grafted skin to differ significantly from healthy skin.

Since the early 2000s, effective laser treatments have emerged, making it possible to treat most burn scars to a level that resembles healthy skin. Therefore, unless the burn is severe enough to cause functional problems with the skin or impede movement, it is advisable to decide on skin graft surgery as carefully as possible.

Typically, the grafted skin may appear hard like leather or shiny like plastic in color or texture.

Even those who have already undergone skin graft surgery and are concerned about the discrepancy can expect improvement through laser treatment. You don't need to worry too much.

The treatment method may vary depending on the condition of the scar.

• For red and thick scars appearing in the early stages of surgery: Vbeam Prima laser and Triamcinolone Scar Injection to reduce scar height may be effective.
• For fully established scars: Depending on the severity of the scar, treatments using lasers with excellent skin regeneration effects such as Ultrapulse Encore and StarLux may be considered.

Long-term treatment is required to see significant effects from burn scar treatment. However, with consistent treatment, you can experience objective improvement, and if the scar is not very severe, it may be possible to treat it to the point where it is barely visible.

If you are experiencing severe stress due to scars, we strongly recommend considering laser treatment rather than enduring stress for the rest of your life. Therefore, for those concerned about discrepancies or scars after burn skin graft surgery, we recommend seeking treatment from a dermatology specialist with extensive experience in burn scar treatment.