Gillies' Drum Dermatome

BAPRAS/354

Date 1939

What Is This Instrument?

This is a “Drum Dermatome” of the Padgett design and manufactured by Charles F Thackray Ltd of Leeds. A Dermatome is a mechanical means of harvesting split thickness skin grafts.

This example consists of a chrome plated 2/3rds flat metal roller plate, with an attached handle and a blade holder on two bearings either side. It is presented in a wooden case with a broken leather strap. The case contains one spare non-disposable blade and a tool to adjustment the depth of skin graft harvest, by Thackrey, Leeds, mid 20th century, formerly the property of Sir Harold Gillies.

Its dimensions are:

case length: 277 mm
case width: 160 mm
case height: 120 mm

What Does It Do?

A Dermatome is a mechanical means of harvesting split thickness skin grafts. It was developed by Earl Padgett in 1939 as a means of harvesting consistently thin and wide skin grafts. It consists of a cylindrical drum which was stuck to the chosen donor site with a thick, black rubber-solution tissue glue supplied by the manufacturer. As the drum was pulled back by the surgeon, a reciprocating blade, set to a specific depth would rotate around it to cut the graft.

Although not being absolutely consistent in taking skin to a known depth, and the result remaining somewhat operator dependent, the drum dermatome represented a major advance in harvesting more reliable skin grafts. It fell out of use in the 1960s due to the development of better mechanical dermatomes.

Significance To Plastic Surgery

This drum dermatome was the personal instrument of Sir Harold Gillies, used in his London private practice. It is currently on display in the BAPRAS offices at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.