Article Information

Staubach R^*, Koehler P, Glosse H, Loff S

Klinikum Stuttgart/ Olgahospital, Department for Pediatric Surgery Kriegsbergstraße 60/62, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany

^*Corresponding Author: Raphael Staubach, Klinikum Stuttgart/ Olgahospital, Department for Pediatric Surgery Kriegsbergstraße 60/62, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany

Received: 25 May 2023; Accepted: 12 June 2023; Published: 03 July 2023

Citation: Staubach R, Koehler P, Glosse H, Loff S. Hyperpigmentation after Full Thickness Skin Grafts–A Case Report. Archives of Clinical and Medical Case Reports. 7 (2023): 302-303.

Abstract

Keywords

Tissue damage; Hyperpigmentation; Skin graft

Article Details

Figure 1: Hyperpigmentation right hand.

Figure 2: Right hand after multiple plasties.

1. Case Report

A punch biopsy of the dark discoloration was performed for further examination. On histology, however, no pathological changes were found: the skin specimen was described as keratinizing squamous epithelium without an increase in the number of melanocytes. Usually, abnormal pigmentation in skin grafts is caused by changes of epidermal melanin content [1, 2]. Under normal circumstances, more melanin means increased pigmentation of the skin. In transplanted skin the degree of pigmentation is not only a result of quantitative changes, but also due to variation in distribution, degradation pattern, and size of the melanosomes within the keratinocytes [3]. Hyperpigmented skin grafts show an increased number of melanosomes within the epidermal layer [4] and usually appear 7-14 days after transplantation. This is supposed to be the sequel of melanocyte injury and abnormal melanocyte control after reinnervation of the graft eventually leading to hyperpigmentation [1-4]. Although the melanogenesis regulation gene MC-1R was identified as a key player in the development of hyperpigmentation of human skin grafts, the exact pathogenetic mechanism has not yet been identified and the true pathogenesis of skin dyspigmentation under these circumstances has remained obscure [5].

It is hypothesized that various types of tissue damage - such as ultraviolet radiation and bacterial infection - but also hypertrophic scarring, and the associated inflammatory process can induce increased pigmentation of skin autografts [5]. Hyperpigmentation of skin grafts is more commonly seen in patients with naturally darker skin such as those with Arabic or Hispanic heritage. In addition, after burns of the palms this phenomenon is also seen more frequently [6].

Treatment of the hyperpigmentation of a skin graft can be indicated for cosmetic or cultural reasons. Maintaining the function of the hand, however, remains of utmost importance. In most cases application of camouflage make-up or bleaching agents bring about unsatisfactory results. Effective treatment requires excision of the hyperpigmented skin and transplantation of a new autologous split thickness skin graft [2, 6]. A study of donor sites for hyperpigmentation would be of great interest.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interests.

References

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