Adhesive 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 com fort and ease of care of two different split skin graft donor site dressing s was performed. One of the dressings was an alginate (Kaltostat(R)), and t he other an adhesive retention tape (Mefix(R)). 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. A total of 30 consecutive patients requiring split skin grafts were randomis ed to receive either alginate or retention donor site dressings. Dressings were assessed by interview and questionnaire at 24 h and 48 h and at 2 week s, and by wound review at 2 weeks. Retention dressings were found to be mor e comfortable. They also required less nursing care and attention. The rete ntion 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 dire ctly to the split skin graft donor site wound is an effective, cheap and co mfortable dressing requiring little postoperative care.