Comparison of Three Methods of Dressings for Split Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site - Non Woven Dressing Impregnated with Amorphous Hydrogel, Amorphous Hydrogel with Colloidal Silver and Conventional Paraffin Gauze Dressing

Abstract

Introduction: Skin grafting is a common reconstructive technique done in plastic surgery. Management of split skin graft donor sites are targeted at promoting faster healing, minimizing pain and complications. A vast number of dressing options for donor sites are available. Search for a better dressing method continues. Aim of this study was to determine the best method of dressing the donor site among three different methods with respect to the rate of healing, pain, exudates and infection. Material and methods: Institutional ethical clearance and patient consent was obtained prior to start of the study. Based on investigator’s previous clinical experience, sample size of 75 was arrived at with a power of 80%. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups by Graph Pad quick calc computing provided by statistician. Group Adressings with conventional paraffin gauze. Group B-dressings with non woven dressings impregnated with amorphous hydrogel. Group Cdressings with amorphous hydrogel with colloidal silver and paraffin gauze. Statistical analysis was done by Anova and Kruskal Wallis Test. Results: Median healing percentage was 98%, 96% and 99% in groups A, B, C respectively on 8th post operative day. This difference was statistically significant (P=0.033). Pain score on post op day 3 was lower in group C (P=0.08). Two patients had infection one in group b and one in group c, which was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients undergoing dressings with amorphous hydrogel with colloidal silver and paraffin gauze had faster healing and experienced lower pain.