Sara Fu-Yin Hsiao1, Hsu Ma1, Yu-Hei Wang2, Tien-Hsiang Wang3. 1. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: wangts@vghtpe.gov.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used in reconstruction of large area defects. Conventional postoperative recipient site care includes saline-moistened gauze with a protective layer of petroleum gauze and splints for immobilization. This method causes pain while changing the dressing. We designed a better occlusive drainage system for split-thickness skin grafts. We compared the treatment effect and subjective evaluation of our occlusive drainage system with that of the conventional method for coverage of split-thickness skin grafts. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in patients who received split-thickness skin grafts. Patients aged 24-76 years were randomly assigned to the occlusive drainage system or the conventional indirect wet dressing method. The status of graft take, pain, and subjective evaluations were compared. RESULTS:Twenty-eight participants were enrolled, with 14 in each group. The percentage of graft take was no difference between the 2 groups. No wound infection developed. Patients in the occlusive drainage system group experienced less pain and greater satisfaction. All patients followed up for at least 3 months, and no hypertrophic scar formation was noted. CONCLUSION: Comparing with the indirect wet dressing method, this new method is practical for covering split-thickness skin grafts, causes less pain, and provides a better experience for patients. Copyright Â
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used in reconstruction of large area defects. Conventional postoperative recipient site care includes saline-moistened gauze with a protective layer of petroleum gauze and splints for immobilization. This method causes pain while changing the dressing. We designed a better occlusive drainage system for split-thickness skin grafts. We compared the treatment effect and subjective evaluation of our occlusive drainage system with that of the conventional method for coverage of split-thickness skin grafts. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in patients who received split-thickness skin grafts. Patients aged 24-76 years were randomly assigned to the occlusive drainage system or the conventional indirect wet dressing method. The status of graft take, pain, and subjective evaluations were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-eight participants were enrolled, with 14 in each group. The percentage of graft take was no difference between the 2 groups. No wound infection developed. Patients in the occlusive drainage system group experienced less pain and greater satisfaction. All patients followed up for at least 3 months, and no hypertrophic scar formation was noted. CONCLUSION: Comparing with the indirect wet dressing method, this new method is practical for covering split-thickness skin grafts, causes less pain, and provides a better experience for patients. Copyright Â
Authors: Charles Chidiebele Maduba; Ugochukwu Uzodimma Nnadozie; Victor Ifeanyichukwu Modekwe; Ezekiel Uchechukwu Nwankwo Journal: Pan Afr Med J Date: 2020-06-18