Wound management of partial-thickness skingraft donor areas with a collagen and alginate dressing (Fibracol^®): findings in 35 patients

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The objective of this study was to report our findings with a collagen and alginate dressing (Fibracol®) used to cover donor areas of partial-thickness skin grafts.

Method:

We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 35 patients in whom Fibracol® was used on donor areas. The routine used to manage the donor area is as follows: The area is covered with one or more units of Fibracol®, followed by application of a waterproof film. After three or four days, the dressing is removed and the area cleaned gently with saline and gauze; the area is dressed again if necessary. The mean patient age was 25.52 years (range, 1-65 years).

Results:

The thigh was used as the donor area in 29 patients, the arm in 2, the leg in 4, and the trunk in 3. Two patients had more than one donor area. The mean time needed for epithelization was 4.51 days (range, 3-8 days). The Pearson correlation coefficient value correlating age and time of epithelization was -0.0755; p = 0.6685. None of the patients experienced an infection in the donor area. The ideal dressing for the donor area of split-thickness skin grafts would have multiple characteristics including low price, good patient comfort, low infection rate, and a short epithelization period.

Conclusion:

The authors report a positive experience with the use of Fibracol® in 35 patients over a period of 22 months. The mean epithelization period was 4.51 days, shorter than that in the majority of published studies, and had no correlation with the age of the patient.

Keywords:
Burns; Grafts; Dressing.