[Effect of different dressing materials in various combinations on wound microenvironment of donor site in burn patients].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of dressing materials in various combinations on burn wound microenvironment and healing condition.


METHODS
Two hundred donor sites with wounds of 0.3 mm in depth in 186 burn patients, who needed skin grafting and admitted to our ward were enrolled in study, and they were divided into A (with dressing composed of alginate + cotton pad for donor area), B (with dressing composed of vaseline gauze + cotton pad for donor area), C (with dressing composed of alginate + foam dressing for donor area), D (with dressing composed of vaseline gauze + foam dressing for donor area) groups according to random table method. Effect of dressings on wound evaporation and pH value were observed. Bacterial colonization, degree of pain complained by patients after dressing change, and wound healing time in each group were compared.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-four patients complied with the study, while 2 patients were excluded due to untimely falling-off of the dressing. Wound evaporation in A, B, C, D groups was (35.5 +/- 3.2), (31.3 +/- 2.8), (23.1 +/- 2.9), (18.1 +/- 2.3) mL x h(-1) x m(-2) respectively, among them B group showed optimal effect of keeping humidity (P < 0.01). Wound pH value in A, B, C, D groups was 7.22 +/- 0.06, 7.41 +/- 0.03, 7.05 +/- 0.03, 7.34 +/- 0.06, respectively, among them it was highest in B group. The positive rate of bacteria in D group was highest (22.4%), and lowest in C group (4.0%). Pain was lightest in C group (score was 0.98 +/- 0.12), and most serious in B group (score was 8.14 +/- 0.82). The shortest wound healing time was seen in C group (6.7 +/- 0.8 d), and longest in D group (15.6 +/- 3.5 d).


CONCLUSIONS
Application of various dressings on similar wounds can produce different wound microenvironment, which is closely related to wound healing time. Compared with pH value, humidity is the more important factor for wound healing.
Burn Institute of Rui'an, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Rui'an 325200, China.
Jiong
J
Chen
Guo-Liang
GL
Su
Qiang
Q
Li
Zhi-Jian
ZJ
Tang
Shi-Jie
SJ
Su
Jian-Wu
JW
Shi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult