Donor site morbidity (DSM) is a general term used to describe any illness or complication that arises at the donor site of a skin graft.

Donor site morbidity is a major concern for patients who are undergoing surgery to remove part of their skin for use in a skin graft, such as the type of surgery performed to treat burns.

The donor site refers to the area where doctors remove skin for use in grafting. It can be located on any part of the body, although it is usually on the back or buttocks.

Skin grafts are often necessary after severe burns. A burn is an injury caused by heat, chemicals or electricity that destroys or damages tissues such as skin and muscle underneath the burned area. Skin grafts involve taking healthy tissue from another part of the body and placing it over damaged tissue so that it can grow into place over time and restore normal function.

Last modified: October 4, 2022