Graft

Definition

A graft is tissue or synthetic material surgically placed to repair, replace, or bypass damaged tissue or vasculature, such as common types include skin grafts, coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), and vascular grafts.

Types

• Autograft: From patient's own body
• Allograft: From another human (cadaveric)
• Xenograft: From another species (porcine, bovine)
• Synthetic: Dacron, PTFE for vascular bypass

Nursing Care Post-Graft

• Skin graft: Immobilize, no shearing, monitor for color, bleeding, infection; protect from sun
• CABG: Monitor sternal incision, cardiac rhythm, chest tube output, pain; early ambulation; avoid lifting > 10 lb × 6 weeks
• Vascular graft: Monitor pulses distal to graft, signs of thrombosis or infection

NCLEX Relevance

CABG post-op: sternal precautions. Skin graft: immobilization and assessment of color/perfusion.