Abstract

Background
s : Donor-site wounds vary in thickness and have a nonadherent layer that provides nontraumatic removal. Foams create a moist environment and provide thermal insulation to the wound. General characteristics of dressings include nonadherents and may repel contaminants, be eased to apply and remove, absorb minimal to heavy amounts of exudate, and may be used under compression. Foam dressings may be used as primary and secondary dressings for wounds with minimal, moderate, or heavy drainage. The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy as a donor-site dressing for thermally injured patients. Methods : We prospectively have analyzed 80 burned patients requiring split-skin grafts. All grafts were removed using a Zimmer dermatome set. We covered one side of each donor site with a hydrophilic polyurethane foam dressing are half the medifoam® (treatment group) and the other half the vaseline gauze (control group). After hemostasis had been obtained, each donor site was covered with a polyurethane foam dressing; vaseline gauze. At 2 days postoperatively, a dressing were removed (first opening) and then, the donor sites was observed daily until epithelization was complete or until a complication developed that required discontinuance of the study. We examined donor site about epithelization, discharge, infection, scar formation, color, and pain. Results: Eighty patients had their donor sites heal without severe complication in a mean time (for complete healing) of 10.1 days for polyurethane foam areas, and 13.0 days for fine mesh vaseline gauze dressings. In seven cases, superficial wound infection occurred in the control no hematoma, no infection, and little pain. the Treatment group was healed with even homogeneous,group. the treatment group had cleaner wound surfaces because of absorption of discharge, Conclusions : Polyurethane foam dressing improves epidermal wound healing by providing a moist environment for enhanced epidermal cell migration and by shortening the donor site healing

• Keywords: Foam dressing, Wound healing