529 Collagen Plus Alginate Wound Dressing for the Treatment of Split-thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Cost-effectiveness Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The collagen plus alginate dressings for donor sites have been used in our country since 2003. Before that, the use of rayon was the main and only preference of use. We were looking for something new at that time that could be less painful and maybe presented a good relation cost-benefit. This alternative dressing seemed to offer collagen to the wound so that the imbalance of metalloproteases would be reduced. We started a study to evaluate the use of collagen calcium-alginate dressing for donor sites. Methods A prospective clinical study was conducted for 2010 to 2017, when this material was donated (high cost in our service). Patients were selected consecutively and randomly allocated into three groups according to the treatment used on the donor site: rayon soaked in 0.9% saline; rayon covered with sterile cotton gauze and bandage; 90% bovine collagen with 10% calcium-alginate dressing covered with transparent polyurethane film. Following parameters was comparatively analyzed: pain, time to epithelialization, length of stay and costs. Results We studied 30 patients, ranging from 12 to 60 years of age. Fifteen of these patients had their donor sites covered with collagen calcium-alginate dressing, which showed pain reduction of 79.5% (p< 0.01) shorter hospital stay and epithelialization, average of 5.8 days (p< 0.01) and reduction in hospital costs about 47% (p< 0.01) in comparison with rayon dressing. None presented infection in the donor site. Conclusions Collagen calcium-alginate dressing showed better cost-benefit than rayon to cover donor sites, with significant reduction of pain, epithelialization time, length of stay and costs. Applicability of Research to Practice cost-effective dressings and painless dressings, Burn care units, Ambulatory care.