Comparison of two occlusive dressings for the treatment of minigraft donor sites in stable vitiligo: a pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Slight differences in the properties of occlusive adherent dressings might not seem important, but the characteristics of adhesion, the capacity for fluid (blood, exudate, transpiration) absorption and the ease of removal are of great practical importance and determine the outcome of a surgical intervention. METHODS: In a pilot study, we compared two occlusive dressings on the punch biopsy donor sites in 10 vitiligo patients treated with minigrafts (average of 50 biopsies per patient): one group with a new hydrocolloid/psyllium dressing (AskinaHydro group, n = 5), and one with an adhesive polyurethane film (Tegaderm group, n = 5). We looked for the following parameters: itch and pain during application, attachment and ease of removal, pain at removal and crust formation after 2 weeks. Also for erythema, hypertropic scarring and atrophy, as well as the quality of life after 12 weeks. RESULTS: AskinaHydro performed better in all areas, especially epithelialization, which was faster after 2 weeks in the AskinaHydro group. AskinaHydro lead also to better healing, with only slight or no atrophy of the biopsy wounds, while Tegaderm, in 91% of the biopsy wounds, gave atrophy and a variable degree of pitted scar formation. This was attributed to the better control of the moist wound environment by AskinaHydro, which has good fluid absorption properties. Additionally, the psyllium suspended in the hydrocolloid has proved to have a favourable effect on macrophage function, which is beneficial for wound healing. At the same time, psyllium is biocompatible. CONCLUSION: AskinaHydro proved to be very appropriate for and efficient in treating acute wounds such as punch biopsy wounds. ( J Dermatol Treat (2000) 11: 155-160)