A Pilot Study Using a Collagen/Oxidized Regenerative Cellulose Dressing for Split- Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites to Reduce Pain and Bleeding Complications

• Published in: Ostomy/wound management Vol. 68; no. 12; p. 20
• Main Authors: Alberto, Emily, Caplan, Richard J, Getchell, John R, Cardenas, Luis, Gallagher, Kathy E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States HMP Communications 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Cellulose, Oxidized - pharmacology; Cellulose, Oxidized - therapeutic use; Collagen; Collagen - therapeutic use; Hemorrhage; Humans; Pain; Pain Management; Pilot Projects; Skin Transplantation - adverse effects; Skin Transplantation - methods; Wound healing
• DOI: 10.25270/wmp.2022.12.2024
• ISSN: 2640-5237

Standardized treatment of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites is not established. Bleeding can necessitate premature dressing changes, interrupting the healing process and increasing pain. A collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose (C/ORC) dressing was used on the donor site. The authors hypothesized that the collagen matrix could decrease bleeding-related complications, reduce pain, and foster epithelialization. The C/ORC matrix was applied to the donor site after hemostasis was achieved. Dressings were removed between postoperative days 4 and 7, and the patients' pain levels, bleeding complications, and percentage healed were recorded. Thirty-nine patients were treated with the C/ORC donor site dressing. Of these, 35 patients (89.7%) were receiving at least prophylactic anticoagulation, and no bleeding complications were recorded. The average area of donor sites was 123.8 cm2 (range, 20-528 cm2). Utilizing the Numerical Rating Scale, 25 patients (64.1%) reported no pain with dressing removal while 5 (12.8%) reported a decrease in pain. The percentage of epithelialization as assessed by treating clinician was at least equivalent to other modalities. The application of a C/ORC matrix to STSG donor wound sites resulted in no bleeding complications and excellent pain control while promoting epithelialization in the patients studied. Following this study, the C/ORC dressing has been incorporated into the authors' standard protocol.