Split‐thickness skin graft donor site management: a randomized controlled trial comparing polyurethane with calcium alginate dressings
- 4 November 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in International Wound Journal
- Vol. 9 (2), 126-131
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-481x.2011.00867.x
Abstract
Split‐thickness skin grafting (SSG) is a common reconstructive technique for the treatment of patients with deep burns and other traumatic injuries. The management of the donor site after harvesting an SSG remains controversial because of a variety of dressings available for use. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effectiveness of a polyurethane dressing, Allevyn™, to a calcium alginate, Kaltostat®. From August 2009 to April 2010, 36 patients were randomized to Allevyn™ or Kaltostat® for donor site management following split skin graft surgery. Pain intensity and adverse events were the primary outcomes assessed. Secondary outcome measures included time for wound healing, ease of application and removal and overall patient satisfaction. Time to first dressing change was earlier in those randomized to Allevyn™ compared with Kaltostat® (5·5 days versus 8·11 days, P = 0·014). In patients randomized to Allevyn™, excessive exudate lead to a significantly increased number of dressing changes before day 10 (14 days versus 7 days, P = 0·018). The total number of dressing changes applied was also greater in those with Allevyn™ compared with Kaltstat® (P = 0·007). There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups with respect to time to wound healing, level of pain intensity, length of stay, staff and patient satisfaction levels. This trial showed Allevyn™ to be associated with increase demands on nursing time, increased cost of dressing products, medical consumables and wastes. Kaltostat® remains the dressing of choice for initial donor site dressing in this burns unit.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- Management of split-thickness skin graft donor site: A prospective clinical trial for comparison of five different dressing materialsBurns, 2010
- Hydrofiber dressing with silver for the management of split-thickness donor sites: A randomized evaluation of two protocols of careBurns, 2010
- Systematic Review of Skin Graft Donor-Site DressingsPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2009
- Split-thickness skin graft donor sites: a comparative study of two absorbent dressingsJournal of Wound Care, 2007
- Acticoat Versus Allevyn as a Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor-Site DressingAnnals of Plastic Surgery, 2007
- Randomized Clinical Study of Hydrofiber Dressing With Silver or Silver Sulfadiazine in the Management of Partial-Thickness BurnsJournal of Burn Care & Research, 2006
- Core outcome measures for chronic pain clinical trials: IMMPACT recommendationsPain, 2005
- Comparison of hydrocellular foam and calcium alginate in the healing and comfort of split-thickness skin-graft donor sitesJournal of Wound Care, 2001
- Evaluation of a Combined Calcium Sodium Alginate and Bio-occlusive Membrane Dressing in the Management of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor SitesAnnals of Plastic Surgery, 2001
- Which Dressing for Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites?Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2001