Effect of Hydrocolloid Dressing versus Paraffin Gauze Dressing on Wound Healing and Pain for Split Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site

Abstract

Ideal wound care for split-thickness skin graft donor sites should include dressings that promote healing, prevent complications, and are cost-effective. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydrocolloid dressing versus paraffin gauze dressing for split thickness skin grafting donor sites in terms of pain and wound healing. Methods: quasi-experimental design was conducted over period of one year for 35 patients who admitted for skin graft. The participants were recruited from one of the big teaching hospitals in Cairo at Egypt. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Bates Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) were used alongside a background/medical data sheet to collect the data. The selected two dressing material were changed for three to four times.  Result it was observed that there was a gradual decrement in the Bates Wound Assessment Tool scores during   4^th ,7^th ,10^th ,and 14^th days during changing the dressing at duoderm /hydrocolloid  and paraffin  gauze dressing  sites, But, decrement at the duoderm sites was greater and faster than paraffin gauze dressing sites with a mean and standard deviation equal to(23.34±.998, 16.20±2.03, and 13.77±1.13 versus 25.80±1.53, 23.14±2.15,and 18.85±1.61)respectively. The mean healing time for complete re –epithelialization was equal to 8.6 day ±1.08, for hydrocolloid sites versus 15.2 day± 3.02  for paraffin gauze site)respectively. Also, there were a statistical significance difference  between the three durations of changing the dressing at the paraffin and duoderm sites for the same subjects with F/ratio/P value equal to( 17783.959 /  .000*).As regards to pain subjects exhibited lesser pain intensity  during    ,7^th ,10^th ,and 14^th days during changing duoderm dressing  sites in comparison with paraffin gauze sites. Conclusion: Hydrocolloid dressing resulted in shorter healing time, faster re –epithelialization, fewer dress­ing changes and reduced pain when compared with paraffin gauze dressing. Recommendation Hydrocolloid dressing is recommended dressing for partial split thickness skin grafting donor sites. A larger randomized study is required to generalize the findings.