The Rare Use of Glabrous Donor for Palmar and Ventral Foot Burns Should Not Be So Rare: Recognition of a Seldom-Used Technique That Should Be in the Armamentarium of Every Burn, Plastic, Hand, and Foot Surgeon.

Abstract

The hairless, thickened glabrous skin of the palms and soles differs significantly from the rest of the body, presenting unique challenges to surgeons treating wounds in these areas, such as burns. Traditionally, full-thickness, non-glabrous skin grafts have been used for repairs, often leading to complications such as hyperkeratosis and epidermolysis. These grafts can also be cosmetically displeasing, resulting in unwanted hair growth and hyperpigmentation, particularly in individuals with darker skin. Multiple grafting techniques for wounds to the palms and soles have been reported; in this report, we focus on the rare use of healthy glabrous skin to replace like skin when presented with full-thickness loss of the injured glabrous portions of the hand or foot.