THE REJECTION OF SKIN HOMOGRAFTS IN THE NORMAL HUMAN SUBJECT. PART I. CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS*

Abstract

The process of "first-set," "accelerated", and "white-graft" rejection of skin grafts has been studied by daily biopsy and photographed in 3 pairs of healthy volunteers. In a first-set graft, bleeding on biopsy was noted at an average time of 2.8 days. The onset of edema at about 6 days correlated well with the appearance of perivascular round cells in the graft. The blood supply ceased 4 to 7 days later and the graft was rejected on an average of 12 days after placement. Grafts placed within 14 days of rejection of a first-set fail to become vascularized and exhibit "white-graft" rejection. One graft placed 44 days after the 1st graft also showed "white-graft" rejection. A 3rd set of grafts, placed up to 6 weeks after the 1st graft, became vascularized but the blood supply was terminated more rapidly than in a first-set graft and the grafts were rejected in an average of 8 days.[long dash]Authors.