Deepithelialization
The removal of the uppermost layer of skin, the cornea (epidermis), is called deepithelialization. The dermis, which contains a dense vascular network, remains untouched with this technique.
It therefore allows the largest possible amount of tissue to be moved (flap plasty) and is therefore often used in breast or buttock surgery. This technique is used for skin transplants because it removes the cells of the uppermost skin layer that are capable of dividing.
