Methods of local treatment of skin graf donor sites (review)

Russian and foreign literature review on the skin graft donor sites was conducted. According to Russian and foreign authors healing time of the donor sites is from 7 up to 26 days. Incidence of infection of the donor site which leads to delayed healing is observed in 5-70 %. Besides, delayed healing of the donor sites can cause cicatrization, namely, hypertrophic and keloid scars. Because of their availability, prevalence, and ease of use traditional gauze dressings are currently the main type of wound and cut management materials used by surgeons for treating donor wounds. However, these dressings soak and stick to the wound; therefore, they cause pain, discomfort, as well as destruction of the newly formed epithelium. Moreover, such dressings contribute to wound infection and are often unable to absorb the exudate. Dissatisfaction with donor site treatment results motivated surgeons to develop more profound methods of local treatment. These methods help to improve the treatment results and minimize the number of complications. New dressings for donor site treatment were designed with the development of combustiology. Results obtained in donor site treatment are far from being definite and undisputable; sometimes they even contradict each other. Recently there have appeared some works on donor sites which suggest their treating in moist or their own liquid medium under polyethylene dressings. In such a case treatment is less painful than under a dry scab. Literature data analysis shows that the search for the perfect method of donor site treatment remains relevant.