Exploring the Role of Perfusion in Skin Graft Viability on the Scalp and Lower Limb: An Analysis of Graft Bed, Margin, and Donor Skin Using Laser Speckle

This study examined the impact of perfusion on skin graft viability on the scalp and lower limb using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) in 42 adults. It found that graft bed perfusion is a crucial predictor of necrosis, explaining 68% of the variation on the scalp and 89% on the lower limb. Perfusion of the wound margin correlated with necrosis only on the lower limb, while donor skin perfusion showed no correlation. The study suggests that assessing perfusion could improve graft success, especially as skin cancer cases rise. Limitations include its single-centre design and focus on elderly patients with cardiovascular issues.