Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Nov 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAdhesive retention dressings are more comfortable than alginate dressings on split skin graft donor sites--a randomised controlled trial.
A prospective randomised trial examining the effectiveness, comparative comfort and ease of care of two different split skin graft donor site dressings was performed. One of the dressings was an alginate (Kaltostat), and the other an adhesive retention tape (Mefix). Alginates are the standard plastic surgical dressing, whereas the use of adhesive retention tapes as a donor site dressing presents a novel use of a readily available product. ⋯ The retention dressings allowed the patients easier mobility and a greater range of daily activities, especially washing. There was no significant difference in wound healing nor in complications. Adhesive retention tape applied directly to the split skin graft donor site wound is an effective, cheap and comfortable dressing requiring little postoperative care.