Use of a new hemicellulose dressing (Veloderm®) for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites. A within-patient controlled study

A multi-centre, open, within-patient controlled study was performed on 23 adult burnt patients to investigate the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Veloderm® in comparison with Algisite M™ and Jaloskin® in split-thickness skin graft donor site care. The areas dressed with Veloderm® completely healed within 10-13 days in a significant higher proportion than the other two dressings (47.6% for Veloderm® versus 26.3% for Algisite M™ and 10% for Jaloskin®, P < 0.03), showing during the whole study less incidence of exudates and of peri-lesional erythema. The aesthetic outcome of the treated lesions after healing was significantly better for Veloderm® (P = 0.0016). Veloderm® and Jaloskin® required very few renewals of the medication during the first week of treatment, while Algisite M™ needed several multiple re-dressings. Veloderm® was judged better than the other two treatments as far as the acceptability (P < 0.001), ease of use (P < 0.001) and efficacy (P < 0.00001). Both pain during application or at removal of dressings and local infections were negligible with all treatments. No scars were formed in any skin donor site. In conclusion Veloderm® is a safe and effective dressing for the re-epithelialization of the skin graft donor sites: it showed higher activity than the other two compared dressings. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI.