Decreased pain in split-thickness skin graft donor sites with the use of a non-adherent polyurethane dressing

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are painful and limit patient rehabilitation. We conducted this study to assess the efficacy of a non-adherent polyurethane dressing in reducing pain and its effect on the epithelialization rate of donor sites of STSGs. Methods Fifteen patients requiring an STSG were included. In 10 patients the donor sites were randomly divided into two halves and covered with either a non-adherent polyurethane dressing or a standard non-adherent gauze. In five patients with bilateral donor sites, one side was covered with the non-adherent polyurethane dressing and the other with non-adherent gauze. The pain was assessed with a visual analog scale and epithelialization was also assessed, calculating non-epithelialized areas with image software by a blinded surgeon. Epithelialization of the wounds covered with the non-adherent polyurethane dressing was assessed at day 8 and 10 and those with non-adherent gauze at day 10. Results Postoperative pain significantly decreased with the non-adherent polyurethane dressing during the length of the study (6.07 ± 1.46 vs. 1.72 ± 1.6) and at each time point (p Conclusions Non-adherent polyurethane dressing achieves a significant reduction of pain in the skin-grafted donor sites without affecting epithelialization.