An STSG can be meshed to expand its size; the recipient site re-vascularizes the graft easily but is also vulnerable to surface trauma because of the graft’s variable thickness. Postoperative split thickness skin grafted wounds tend to contract because of the minimal dermal element. The donor site from an STSG does not require primary closure and heals by regeneration of the epithelium (Drain & Odom-Forren, 2008).
A full thickness graft contains the epidermis and all of the dermis and provides more structural integrity when compared to a STSG. Because of the absence of the dermis, a primary closure of the wound edges of the donor site must occur. Full thickness skin graft is preferred when contraction of the skin in the healing process, such as that seen with split thickness skin grafting, would be detrimental. Body regions that mandate full thickness skin grafting include the neck and joint surfaces like the axilla (Drain & Odom-Forren, 2008; Rothrock & McEwen, 2006).