Comparison of skin graft donor site management using oxidised regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen/silver‐ORC with absorptive silicone adhesive border and transparent film dressing vs semi‐occlusive dressings

Split‐thickness skin grafts (STSG) are widely used in wound reconstruction. However, donor site wounds are created as a result. Traditionally, moist wound healing and transparent film dressings have been used to promote donor site wound healing. This retrospective study evaluated the use of oxidised regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen/silver‐ORC dressing (ORC/C/Ag‐ORC) with an absorptive silicone adhesive border dressing and transparent film dressing (treatment) compared with petrolatum‐based gauze dressing (control) over donor site wounds. Patients underwent an STSG procedure between January and December 2020. Donor sites received treatment (n = 10) or control (n = 10) dressings. Dressing changes occurred as necessary. Time to epithelialisation, narcotic pain medication requirements, and the number of office/hospital visits were examined. Twenty patients were managed (9 males, 11 females, average age: 49.7 ± 13.9 y). Patient comorbidities included hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Wound types included traumatic and cancer excision. Time to epithelialisation was significantly reduced in the treatment group (11.1 ± 1.4 d vs 18 ± 2.4 d, P < 0.0001). The number of office visits for dressing changes was significantly lower in the treatment group (0.1 ± 0.3 vs 2 ± 0.7, P < 0.0001). No patients in the treatment group required a hospital visit, compared with 3 patients in the control group. One patient in the treatment group required narcotic pain medication, compared with 5 in the control group. In this patient population, the use of ORC/C/Ag‐ORC, an absorptive silicone adhesive border dressing, and transparent film dressing resulted in a shorter time to epithelialisation and less analgesic requirement compared with petrolatum‐based gauze dressing use.