title: Split-thickness skin graft donor site care: a quantitative synthesis of the research.
abstract: Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is a frequently used reconstructive technique but is associated with a large variation in practice. The purposes of this article are to integrate and synthesize the available empirical evidence regarding STSG donor site dressings, identify which dressings are associated with the best outcomes, and provide practice recommendations. This review of 33 studies found transparent film to be the best dressing for the care of STSG donor site wounds. Transparent film was associated with one of the fastest healing rates (9.47 days), a smooth epithelialized surface, a low infection rate (10 out of 394 patients or 3%), the least amount of pain (1.59 on 0 to 10 scale), and minimal cost ($.005 per square inch) when compared with other dressings.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Rakel
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bermel
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Baumler
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Heinle
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Ocheltree
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing