Efficacy of Physiotulle Ag combined with Allevyn foam dressing for skin graft donor sites

Abstract

Objective To explore a new method for improving healing of skin graft donor sites. Methods A total of 40 patients who needed intermediate thickness skin graft from thigh, from January 2014 to December 2015, were randomly devided into experiment group and control group. Skin graft donor sites of the experiment group were covered with Physiotulle Ag and Allevyn foam dressing, while donor sites of the control group were covered with petrolatum impregnated gauze, sterile gauze, and compression bandage. Postoperative infection rate, pain scoring during the first dressing change, time of dressing change between operation and complete healing, duration for complete healing, and the area of non-healing two weeks after operation were compared and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS17.0. Results There was no infection in the experiment group. Two patients developed infection in the control group, with wound exudate culture positive for pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the wounds healed after dressing change. The experiment group was significantly better than that of the control group in pain scoring during the first dressing change, time of dressing change between operation and complete healing, duration of complete healing (U=81.5, P=0.001 ; U=109.5, P=0.011; t=0.769, P<0.001). Conclusions The Physiotulle Ag combined with Allevyn foam dressing can enhance healing of skin graft donor sites, alleviate pain of the patient, and reduce dressing change. This method is easy to perform, and skin graft donor sites heal well in two weeks, which may lead a prospected application. Key words: Physiotulle Ag; Allevyn foam dressing; Skin graft donor site; Wound healing