Reducing pain at split thickness donor sites with silicone dressing compared to petrolatum gauze dressing

Many modalities have been introduced to reduce devastating pain at the donor area. This is a prospective, randomized study to assess the effect of silicone dressing in reducing pain at split-thickness skin donor sites, and compare it with traditional petrolatum gauze. The patients were allocated to receive standard dressing (petrolatum gauze) or silicone dressing over skin donor sites. Pattern and severity of pain at the sites were assessed in both groups using the Visual Analog Scale for pain. Pattern of pain at the donor site during the postoperative period was consistently lower with silicone dressing (p<0.005). Regarding severity of pain, there were differences between the two groups (p.<005), but there were no significant differences between the two sexes regarding pattern and severity of pain (p>0.5). This study showed silicone dressing to be superior to petrolatum gauze in reducing severity and pattern of pain. It may increase patient satisfaction.