The iron content of split skin grafts after general infiltration and percutaneous anaesthesia.

The iron content of split skin grafts from guinea pigs has been studied by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry from the time the grafts were cut until the transplants had been in contact with a standardized recipient area for 7 days. The iron content was taken as a measure of the blood content of the grafts. In order to relieve pain, general anaesthesia with ether, local anaesthesia by infiltration and local percutaneous anaesthesia with a solution of ketocaine. A2358, were used. At the time of cutting the grafts the iron content was highest when percutaneous anaesthesia had been used. After a decrease in the iron content in all grafts during the two first postoperative days there was an increasing level from the third day as a sign of revascularization. A stabilization of the values when general and percutaneous anaesthesia had preceded the operation was noted from the fifth postoperative day. The level was highest in the grafts cut after percutaneous anaesthesia.