Comparison of the Silver Nanocrystalline Dressing and Paraffin Gauze on the outcomes of Split-thickness Skin Graft Donor Site

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of silicone dressing containing silver nanocrystals (Ag coat) in comparison with Vaseline gas coating on donor graft wound healing in patients undergoing skin transplantation. Methods: In a time-series study, 49 patients who underwent skin grafting were examined. The wound of the graft site of these patients was divided into two parts: one part of the wound was dressed with a silicone coating containing silver nanocrystals, and the other part was dressed with a coating containing petroleum jelly. Patients were followed up and compared for 6 months regarding recovery status, duration of dressing, postoperative complications, and comfort of the patient and the treatment staff. Findings: The duration of wound dressing in two dressing sites with silver nanocrystal and Vaseline was 10.49 ± 2.2.8 and 13.90 ± 2.04 days, respectively, which were significantly different (P < 0.001). The area of the wound that was dressed with silicon dressing containing silver nanocrystals had a better wound scar score (P < 0.0001). The frequency of ideal wound healing at the end of the first month was 93.9 and 75.5 in the place of silver nanocrystal dressing and Vaseline dressings respectively. Conclusion: The use of nanocrystalline silver dressing compared to Vaseline gas dressing led to better therapeutic results and faster healing of the wound, more comfort for the patient and the treatment staff, a smaller scar, less pain and itching, and also a quicker return to normal. © 2024 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.