Preoperative expectations, postoperative satisfaction and patient directed priorities for clinical burn research

Burn patients receiving split thickness skin grafting are left with scarring and chronically dysfunctional grafted skin. Given evidence that patients' preoperative expectations mediate postoperative outcomes and satisfaction, we described burn patients' experience, expectations, and satisfaction with their skin graft, their views towards a cell based clinical trial to improve their graft and identified graft outcome measures for use in future studies.

Data were collected via questionnaires preoperatively, one, and three months postoperatively. Longitudinal analyses assessed change over time.

Expectations of graft function were consistent pre- and postoperatively. Expectations of graft appearance showed significant decrease over time (β₁ = -0.290, p = 0.008). Significant improvements in skin function (β₁ = 0.579, p = 0.000) and appearance (β₁ = 0.247, p = 0.025) at the wound site during recovery were observed. Patients noted great difference between grafted and normal skin. Patient satisfaction with their graft did not change significantly over time. Patients were willing to participate in a cell based clinical trial to improve graft symptomology and prioritized improvements in scarring, redness, sensation, and elasticity.

Outcome measures in trials advancing skin grafting should reflect chronic, patient prioritized limitations. We recommend preoperative educational interventions for burn patients receiving grafting to improve postoperative satisfaction.