methods and devices for management of fluids during skin graft transplantation are disclosed . in one aspect of the invention , absorbent substrates for transplanting skin grafts are disclosed having a surface adapted to contact at least one excised skin graft and engage said graft for removal from a donor site ; a sealing member at least partially surrounding an absorbent material disposed within the enclosure ; wherein at least a portion of the skin - contacting surface is porous and in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to capture fluids .