Comparison of hydrocellular foam and calcium alginate in the healing and comfort of split-thickness skin-graft donor sites
Vaingankar, N.V.; Sylaidis, P.; Eagling, V.; King, C.; Elender, F.
Journal of Wound Care 10(7): 289-291
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0969-0700 PMID: 12964350 Document Number: 539051
This is a comparative study of a hydrocellular foam (Allevyn, Smith and Nephew) and a calcium alginate (Kaltostat, ConvaTec) in dressing split-thickness skin-graft donor sites. The dressing materials were used in equal halves of each donor site in 20 patients undergoing skin-graft harvest. The donor sites dressed with Allevyn showed a tendency to earlier healing, but this was not confirmed statistically. However, Allevyn was found to be more comfortable than Kaltostat and this difference was statistically significant. Due to its increased patient comfort, cheaper cost and comparable time to healing with Kaltostat, the authors recommend the use of Allevyn as a dressing for split-thickness skin-graft donor sites.