None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Split-thickness skin grafts are routinely used to manage burns that are unlikely to heal with dressings alone. The skin graft is taken from a donor site, for example the thigh, creating a donor site wound. Treatment of this donor site wound has an impact on the total recovery and rehabilitation of the patient. Multiple dressings have been investigated for the management of the donor site wounds, including biobrane, calcium alginate, acetate guaze and gauze mesh. However, despite previous research the optimum dressing for donor site wounds remains unclear. Suprathel is an artificial substitute skin dressing that is commonly used on burns and graft site wounds. The paediatric surgeons at The Townsville Hospital have observed that Suprathel also has positive results when used on the donor site wound. Therefore, we propose to investigate the management of paediatric donor site wounds of split-thickness skin grafts with Suprathel in a randomised controlled study. We plan to compare the use of Suprathel with jelonet, a commonly used dressing on the donor site. Participants: Children 16 years or under requiring a clinically indicated split thickness skin graft Expected outcomes: Identifying whether Suprathel is superior to a commonly used dressing on paediatric donor sites.
Interventions
Two dressings used on donor site wounds in children will be compared in this randomised control trial: Suprathel (covered with Atruman + melolin + hypafix) and Jelonet (covered with melolin + hypafix).
1. Suprathel
- Composed of a synthetic copolymer of polylactide trimethylene carbonate and e-caprolactone and is considered a temporary artificial skin substitute
- Applied intra-operatively (by surgeon) after skin graft is taken, covered with Atruman + melolin + hypafix. Dressing gradually peels
Two dressings used on donor site wounds in children will be compared in this randomised control trial: Suprathel (covered with Atruman + melolin + hypafix) and Jelonet (covered with melolin + hypafix). 1. Suprathel - Composed of a synthetic copolymer of polylactide trimethylene carbonate and e-caprolactone and is considered a temporary artificial skin substitute - Applied intra-operatively (by surgeon) after skin graft is taken, covered with Atruman + melolin + hypafix. Dressing gradually peels off when skin underneath is healed. Reviewed day 5 by nursing staff/occupational therapist, if not healed protective dressing layer re-applied (Atruman + melolin + hypafix). Re-inspected day 10. This is repeated every 5 days until healed. - Monitored by nursing + parent sheet that contains: pain/distress score for dressing change 2. Jelonet - Parrafin based guaze dressing - Applied intra-operatively by surgeon, covered with melolin +hypafix - Same principles as above, however, dressing is completely removed at each 5d review (by nursing staff) and re-applied if not healed
Sponsors
The Townsville hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
All patients aged 16 years and younger requiring a clinically indicated split thickness skin graft at our hospital will be invited to participate. Eligibility will be determined by the child’s primary surgeon or an investigator.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria will include non-english speaking parents or caregivers; children under the care of the Department of Child Safety and children with a cognitive impairment.
Outcome results
None listed