Swann-Morton Watson Skin Graft Handle (Non-Sterile)

Additional information

Swann-Morton Watson Skin Graft Handle - Stainless Steel

The Skin Graft range is used in the surgical removal of a patch of healthy skin from one area of the patient's body which is then transplanted to another area where there has been extensive tissue loss. Skin grafts may be recommended for burns, specific surgeries that may require skin grafts for healing to occur and for areas of prior infection with extensive skin loss. They may also be used for cosmetic reasons during reconstructive surgeries.

The Watson Handle (1960 John Watson) addresses some of these issues as it has a fixed, polished, stainless steel guard and a simpler, more rigid thickness adjustment. The rod has no independent movement, either sliding or rotation, while the graft is being taken. At its end-bearings, it passes eccentrically through the bushes, hence the depth of cut can be set by rotation of the rod with the single knurled control knob, the rod remaining parallel to the blade settings. The bearings therefore have a precision fit and there is no "play" in use. While taking the graft, spontaneous rotation of the rod is slight, but the locking lever is provided to avoid accidental alteration of the setting once it has been made. The fixed guard reduces skin rolling however introduced a considerable degree of "drag" since it cannot slide to and fro with the skin surface. As a result the edges of both the graft and donor site can be ragged an effect that can only partially be avoided by lubricating with liquid paraffin.

The exact thickness of the graft can also depend upon:

1. The contact angle between the blade and skin whilst harvesting;
2. The pressure applied by the operator onto the handle whilst harvesting.

These are important aspects of skin grafting technique that need to be mastered to enable reproducibly consistent harvesting of high quality split thickness skin grafts.