Technique for Harvesting a Split-thickness Skin Graft to Direct Closure on the Donor Site

We report the usefulness of the parallelogram skin graft harvest method, using a device that facilitates direct donor site closure by harvesting the skin in a parallelogram shape. The skin graft was designed as a parallelogram, and an electric dermatome was used to slide across the area at an oblique angle to the direction of travel. The donor site was then sutured directly. Early (hematoma, infection, and wound dehiscence) and late (pain and itching of the scar) donor site complications were also investigated. Twenty-seven patients were included in the study. Twelve patients were 75 years old or older, and two were consuming prednisolone. The maximum size of the harvested skin was 150 cm² (5 cm × 30 cm). None of the patients experienced donor site complications. The parallelogram skin graft harvest method is effective for the direct closure of the split skin graft donor site to promote healing.