Abstract
The use of paraffin-impregnated gauze for burns and skin graft donor sites is commonly associated with wound adherence with consequent pain and trauma upon removal. This prospective clinical study was performed to evaluate a new class of lipido-colloid dressings (Urgotul) in promoting healing and in reducing tissue adherence. In a 6-month period, 25 consecutive patients were recruited. Two separate burn or donor sites on each patient were dressed with tulle-gras (TG) or Urgotul and covered with standard secondary dressings. Objective assessment of wounds by two reviewers, and patients' subjective assessments were recorded. Twenty-three (92%) patients were followed up for a mean of 3 months. Mean time to complete epithelialisation was 9.6 and 11.9 days for the Urgotul and TG sites respectively (P < 0.05). Bleeding was seen in 52% of Urgotul sites compared with 100% of the TG sites at first dressing change (P < 0.05). Patients reported 'moderate pain' during dressing change in 22% and 57% in the Urgotul and TG groups respectively (P < 0.05), with 35% of TG sites being 'very painful' requiring extra analgesia. We found that compared with TG, Urgotul was associated with faster epithelialisation, less pain and trauma (bleeding) during dressing changes.