Australasian survey of split skin graft donor site dressings

There is an ever increasing array of products available for wound dressings. The aim of the present study was to establish which dressings should be used as standard controls for future studies; what factors are regarded as most important in assessing a dressing; what the level of satisfaction is with the available products; what the strengths and weaknesses of the commonly used dressings are; and what dressings would be preferred if cost were no issue.

A postal survey was sent to every plastic and reconstructive surgeon registered in Australasia (n = 217). A total of 53% responded.

The most commonly used dressing type overall is the calcium alginates, despite the fact that they were not the highest performing dressings. This is also the most commonly used in Australia. In contrast scarlet red is still used most commonly in New Zealand. The level of satisfaction with the most commonly used dressing varied very little. The factor regarded most important was patient comfort level. A profile of the commonly used dressing was constructed. Calcium alginates and or scarlet red should be used as the control for new product comparisons.

Most of the respondents were satisfied with their preferred dressing and were not interested in trying alternative dressings.