Occlusive drainage system for split-thickness skin graft: A prospective randomized controlled trial

•Randomized, controlled trial design for wound dressing of meshed skin grafts.•The occlusive drainage system is cost-effective for recipient site care.•This new design causes less pain and provides a better experience to the patients.

BackgroundSplit-thickness skin grafts are widely used in reconstruction of large area defects. Conventional postoperative recipient site care includes saline-moistened gauze with a protective layer of petroleum gauze and splints for immobilization. This method causes pain while changing the dressing. We designed a better occlusive drainage system for split-thickness skin grafts.We compared the treatment effect and subjective evaluation of our occlusive drainage system with that of the conventional method for coverage of split-thickness skin grafts.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was carried out in patients who received split-thickness skin grafts. Patients aged 24-76 years were randomly assigned to the occlusive drainage system or the conventional indirect wet dressing method. The status of graft take, pain, and subjective evaluations were compared.ResultsTwenty-eight participants were enrolled, with 14 in each group. The percentage of graft take was no difference between the 2 groups. No wound infection developed. Patients in the occlusive drainage system group experienced less pain and greater satisfaction. All patients followed up for at least 3 months, and no hypertrophic scar formation was noted.ConclusionComparing with the indirect wet dressing method, this new method is practical for covering split-thickness skin grafts, causes less pain, and provides a better experience for patients.