Comparison of four different dressings on donor site wounds

Following nursing observation of the difficulties of healing of donor site wounds, including trauma and pain on removal of dressings, a blind randomized study was undertaken to determine which of four dressings provided the greatest comfort, had the fastest healing time and could be removed without trauma. Forty patients had one of four dressings applied in theatre: paraffin gauze, alginate alone, alginate with film cover or film alone. An observer was present who was unaware of the dressing used and recorded patient observations and nursing records for information. The study revealed that the dressing that caused patients most discomfort and trauma on removal was paraffin gauze. Alginate with film dressing was found to be most successful in treating these patients.