Skip to main content

Zimmer Air Dermatome

The Zimmer Air Dermatome is a pneumatically-powered skin harvester — the workhorse of contemporary split-thickness skin graft (STSG) harvesting in the United States. Compressed nitrogen or medical air drives an oscillating blade that produces uniform-thickness grafts with excellent surgeon control.

Design​

  • Handheld head with an oscillating disposable blade
  • Hose connecting to a medical compressed-gas source (typically medical air or nitrogen)
  • Width selectors: 1", 2", 3", 4" blade widths
  • Depth dial: graduated thickness 0.008" to 0.030" (0.2 to 0.76 mm)
  • Footswitch or handswitch operation

Key Uses in Reconstructive Urology​

  • Scrotal reconstruction after Fournier's gangrene — the single most common GU indication
  • Post-debridement coverage (hidradenitis suppurativa, necrotizing soft-tissue infection, buried-penis reconstruction)
  • Penile shaft resurfacing after free-silicone explant or chronic penile dermatitis
  • Perineal reconstruction after radical debridement
  • Phalloplasty donor-site coverage (radial forearm, ALT, MLD harvest sites)

Technique Pearls​

  • Mineral oil on the donor skin surface reduces friction and produces smoother harvest
  • Depth: 0.012"–0.018" typical for genital and perineal coverage; thicker for robust areas (back, thigh)
  • Width matched to need — avoid harvesting wider than necessary to minimize donor-site morbidity
  • Steady speed and pressure — inconsistent movement produces uneven graft thickness

Trade-offs​

  • Electric dermatomes (e.g., Padgett) produce nearly equivalent grafts without requiring a compressed-gas supply — a practical advantage in facilities without central medical air
  • Handheld dermatomes (Humby, Goulian) are cheaper and more portable but depend entirely on surgeon skill for uniform thickness

See also: Padgett Dermatome, Humby Dermatome, Goulian Dermatome, Mesher, STSG.