Skin grafts and skin flaps
About skin grafts and skin flaps for skin cancer
Skin cancer is commonly treated with surgery. Skin grafts or flaps are ways of replacing skin removed during surgery with healthy skin from another part of the body.
Your doctor or nurse will explain if this is likely to be part of your surgery and what to expect. It is not always needed. It might be used during surgery for a larger skin cancer.
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What is a skin graft?
A skin graft is a healthy layer of skin that is taken from another part of the body. The layer of skin is then placed over the area where the skin cancer was removed. The place where the skin is taken from is called the donor site. The place where it is moved to is called the grafted area.
The amount of skin that is taken depends on the size of the area to be covered. Your doctor or specialist nurse will tell you more about this.
The donor site
You will have a dressing on the donor site to protect it from infection. How long the site takes to heal will vary. It can depend on how much skin was removed and where it was taken from.
The grafted area
The graft may be stapled, stitched or glued in place. Sometimes it may simply be laid onto the area. Your surgeon will discuss this with you.
You will have a dressing over the area. This will be left in place while the graft heals. As the skin graft heals, it will connect to the surrounding blood supply. This usually takes 5 to 7 days. The area will look red and swollen to begin with. But eventually it will fully heal, and the redness will fade.
After a skin graft surgery
After a skin graft, you can usually go home on the same day. But some people need to have a short stay in hospital. This depends on where the graft is on the body and how big it is.
You may need to have your stitches removed 5 to 14 days after your operation. Or you may have stitches that dissolve and do not need to be removed.
Both the grafted and donor areas will develop scars. These should gradually fade. The grafted skin may also look different from the surrounding skin. This will improve over time. Your hospital team can tell you more about what to expect.
You can visit our Online Community skin cancer forum to talk to people who have been affected by skin cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
Getting support
Macmillan is also here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online
Skin graft recovery
Try to rest for the first 2 weeks after surgery. You will need to allow time for the graft to heal properly.
The grafted area will be fragile and look red and swollen to begin with. It is important not to put pressure on it, or rub or brush against it. Eventually it will fully heal, and the redness will fade.
The donor site may take up to 2 weeks to heal, but it can take longer. Your surgeon will discuss this with you. The donor site can often feel more uncomfortable than the grafted area. You may need to take regular pain relief for a while.
You may need to take some time off work until the area has healed. If you have young children, you may need some extra help at home until you feel able to do the things you normally do.
What is a skin flap?
A skin flap is a slightly thicker layer of skin than a skin graft. The skin is usually taken from an area very close to where the skin cancer has been removed.
During skin flap surgery, the flap is cut away but left partly connected so it still has a blood supply. It is moved to cover the wound and stitched in place. You may need to stay in hospital for a few days after skin flap surgery.
Skin flap surgery is very specialised and is not as common as skin graft surgery. You may have to travel to a hospital that specialises in doing it. If you need a skin flap, your doctor can tell you more about it.
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our skin cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Keohane SG, Botting J, Budny PG, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma 2020. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2021;184(3): 401–414. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.19621 [accessed May 2024].
Nasr I, McGrath EJ, Harwood CA, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of adults with basal cell carcinoma 2021. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2021;185(5): 899–920. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20524 [accessed May 2024].
Sharma A, Birnie AJ, Bordea C, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen disease) 2022. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2023;188(2): 186–194. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljac042 [accessed May 2024].
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Professor Samra Turajlic, Consultant Medical Oncologist.
With thanks to: Dr Stephanie Arnold, Consultant; Kerry Jane Bate, Advanced Nurse Practitioner; Dr Philippa Closier, Clinical Oncologist; Sharon Cowell-Smith, Macmillan Advanced Nurse Practitioner Skin Cancers; and Dr Benjamin Shum, Medical Oncologist.
Thanks also to the other professionals and people affected by cancer who reviewed this edition, and to those who shared their stories.
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