Intermediate
Technical
IVT
dermatome
Pronunciation: DER-mah-tome
A surgical instrument used to harvest thin, uniform slices of skin for grafting procedures.
Full Definition
A dermatome is a specialized surgical instrument designed to precisely harvest split-thickness skin grafts of predetermined thickness and width. Modern dermatomes can be electric, pneumatic, or manual and allow surgeons to obtain consistent, thin layers of skin (typically 0.008-0.020 inches thick) from donor sites. The harvested skin maintains its viability and can be immediately transplanted to cover burn wounds, making the dermatome an essential tool in burn reconstruction surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Not to be confused with the neurological term dermatome (area of skin innervated by a single nerve).
In Context
- "The electric dermatome was set to harvest a 0.012-inch thick graft from the thigh." — Operative procedure note
- "Proper dermatome maintenance ensures consistent graft thickness and quality." — Equipment protocol
Also known as
skin graft harvester
Don't confuse with
dermis
dermatitis