The evaluation of relevant factors influencing skin graft changes in color over time

Abstract

BACKGROUND Objective studies evaluating the relevant factors that affect skin graft changes in color over time have yet to be published. OBJECTIVE Therefore, the patterns of the grafted skin's color changes and the presence of relevant factors were analyzed statistically. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 107 skin grafts in 107 subjects. Using a chromameter, the colors of skin graft, the area adjacent to the recipient site, and the donor site were measured. The grafted skin's color changes and the color difference were analyzed with respect to several factors. RESULTS Over time, the grafted skin became lighter, redness decreased, yellowness increased, and the color difference decreased. As the donor site was lighter, the grafted skin was lighter and less red. The grafted skin was lighter in females than in males. The skin graft type was not related to the lightness and the redness. The grafted skin was lightest in the upper arm and darkest in the lower leg. The grafted skin was lighter in Fitzpatrick Skin Type III, followed by Type IV and then Type V. CONCLUSION The factors that affected the skin graft's lightness were time, the lightness of the donor, sex, the hand, the foot, and Fitzpatrick skin type.