Re: skin graft

January 2, 2003

Hi Cheryl,

Well I haven't had a graft taken from my butocks but I have had one

taken (a fullthickness) from my groin and a split thickness from my

thigh.

I am very fair skinned. The one on my groin is gone (it's been about

a year since that was done) and the one on my thigh was done the end

of October , it is still pink but is lighter then it was.

January 2, 2003

-

When they take the skin graft, do they pinch the donor site closed

and sew it up, so the scar is a thin line, or is the scar a neat

little square, so that one can tell a skin graft was taken?

January 2, 2003

Hi, definitely check with your dr. for clarification on what she/he expects.

My daughter had a skin graft from her hip. Honestly, it was extremely

painful -- much more so than the atresia reconstruction. The scar is a

rectangle, about 2 " x1 " (or slightly less), it's quite raised and slightly

discolored. It's a very significant scar and took a very long time to

heal. She is asian.

My other daughter had a skin graft taken from behind her ear (non-atresia

related). This was a much smaller graft and they did close the site. This

one looks great but it took about 2 years for the scar to completely settle.

It was not painful. She is asian too.

Re: skin graft

> -

> When they take the skin graft, do they pinch the donor site closed

> and sew it up, so the scar is a thin line, or is the scar a neat

> little square, so that one can tell a skin graft was taken?

>

January 2, 2003

Hi, definitely check with your dr. for clarification on what she/he expects.

My daughter had a skin graft from her hip. Honestly, it was extremely

painful -- much more so than the atresia reconstruction. The scar is a

rectangle, about 2 " x1 " (or slightly less), it's quite raised and slightly

discolored. It's a very significant scar and took a very long time to

heal. She is asian.

My other daughter had a skin graft taken from behind her ear (non-atresia

related). This was a much smaller graft and they did close the site. This

one looks great but it took about 2 years for the scar to completely settle.

It was not painful. She is asian too.

Re: skin graft

> -

> When they take the skin graft, do they pinch the donor site closed

> and sew it up, so the scar is a thin line, or is the scar a neat

> little square, so that one can tell a skin graft was taken?

>

January 2, 2003

hello cheryl, it depends. sometimes the scar is invisible practically but sometimes large and somewhat thick. artificial skin as a graft has not worked well. other donor sites can be tried depending on the type os need for the graft. best, dr eavey

-----Original Message----- Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 2:38 PMTo: AtresiaMicrotia Subject: skin graftHi-Has anyone in here had the skin graft taken from the buttocks? How bad a scar does it leave? My skin is olive colored, and I scar easily, so I'm afraid I'll have a purple square left behind.

January 2, 2003

the graft can be taken either way. the line tends to spread over time however. thanks, dr eavey

-----Original Message----- Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 4:06 PMTo: AtresiaMicrotia Subject: Re: skin graft-When they take the skin graft, do they pinch the donor site closed and sew it up, so the scar is a thin line, or is the scar a neat little square, so that one can tell a skin graft was taken?

January 2, 2003

Hi Cheryl,

The donar site on my thigh is a large rectangular area. They didn't

stitch it, it was just covered with a bandage which I only left on

for a day or two. Then after that I just kept A&D Ointment applied to

it ever so often so it didn't dry out and itch.

It resembled almost like a really bad sunburn(or like a burn) when I

unbandaged it, only it was in a neat rectangle.

The donar site on my groin was right in the bend of my leg and it

bothered me more mainly just because it was in an inconvenient place.

But it was just bandaged too ..no stitches.

January 2, 2003

Hi Cheryl,

The donar site on my thigh is a large rectangular area. They didn't

stitch it, it was just covered with a bandage which I only left on

for a day or two. Then after that I just kept A&D Ointment applied to

it ever so often so it didn't dry out and itch.

It resembled almost like a really bad sunburn(or like a burn) when I

unbandaged it, only it was in a neat rectangle.

The donar site on my groin was right in the bend of my leg and it

bothered me more mainly just because it was in an inconvenient place.

But it was just bandaged too ..no stitches.

January 4, 2003

Dear Cheryl (and anyone who can help),

My daughter was born 6 weeks ago w/ right stage 3 aural atresia, which until now, I've had no clue about. She's my first and it has been quite a roller coaster ride. I'd love to hear more about your surgeries (when you started, how many, would you recommend your same docs, etc.). Anything you'd be willing to share would really help a new mom. Already this site is helping me to realize that we're not alone in searching for answers. Until now, even the pediatricians and nurses were giving me blank stares. I've seen a local ENT (we live in Orlando, FL), but even he hadn't seen many of these cases. I realize now that I'll have to travel to someone who has dealt with this in the past.

Basically, I read that you are a college student and I feel as though we'd be able to relate to eachother. I'm 25 and have been finished college for three years, but I'm not too old yet, right? I know you're probably very busy, but like I said, if you could offer even a small line of advice every now and then, you'd really help to ease my fears.

Thanks so much,

Traci

January 5, 2003

Welcome Traci,

First of all, Congratulations on your baby girl. I'm the mom of Brayden 2

yrs old with right side stage 3 microtia/atresia. It seems like just

yesterday I was right where you are today. Yes, it can be a roller coaster

of emotions. Please know that you have found a great group here. I too had

to do much of the research myself on microtia/atresia as I wasn't even given

a name or diagnosis when my son was born. It sounds like you are right on

track since you have already had her hearing tested and heart. The only

thing I would suggest at this stage is to see a children's cranialfacial

team. There should be one connect with your Children's hospital. I too felt

an urgency to find information and answers. You will find most of them here

and at Dr.Brents website. Just know that your little girl is going to be

just fine and enjoy every minute with her. You'll see the time flys by (I

know all us old people tell you that I'm 36, an old lady to you ha ha ah

and the mom to 3 boys, but I do understand what you are going through as do

most of the moms here, so feel free to ask away or just come here for

support. You can also write to me direct if you would like. I know I just

needed to talk sometimes.

You are doing a great job Traci. Again Welcome

Autumn (mom to Brayden 2 yrs unilateral microtia/atresia)

January 5, 2003