Martini L, Reali UM, Borgognoni L, Andriessen A. Comparison of two dressings in the management of partial-thickness donor sites. Journal of Wound Care 1999; 8(9): 457-60. 

Type of Study: Comparative Study

Type of Wound: Surgical/Post-Surgical Wounds

Abstract
Comparative study conducted in 50 patients over 18 years of age. Each patient acted as their own control. The study compared the performance of ALLEVYN^◊ Adhesive with a paraffin gauze dressing in the management of partial-thickness skin-graft donor site wounds.

Treatment lasted for 7 days, until re-epithelialization, an adverse reaction or patient withdrawal. Forty-four patients were evaluated in the analysis.

Outcome measures were time to complete epithelialization, ease of dressing removal, pain on removal and appearance of the wound bed.

Key Findings

• ALLEVYN^◊ Adhesive demonstrated a significantly faster closure time (p<10-6) and enhanced patient comfort.
• At day 7, the pain associated with the paraffin dressing during removal was described as unbearable, whereas patients reported slight or no pain upon removal with ALLEVYN^◊ Adhesive.
• Complete epithelialization with ALLEVYN^◊ Adhesive was achieved in 93% of patients (versus 36%) by the end of the study period (day 7). Mean time to epithelialization was 5.64 days, versus 9.0 days with the paraffin dressing.
• ALLEVYN^◊ Adhesive is easy to shape, has a high absorption capacity. It reduces the risk of leakage, and does not stick to the wound.
• ALLEVYN^◊ Adhesive provided a clean moist wound environment, encouraging faster and more comfortable wound closure.