Suprathel (R) causes less bleeding and scarring than Mepilex (R) Transfer in the treatment of donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts

Split-thickness skin grafts are routine in the treatment of deep dermal burns and various other wounds. Healing of the donor site of the graft has an impact on the total recovery of the patient. We conducted a prospective clinical study at Tampere University Hospital to compare the effect of two adhesive wound dressings, Suprathel (R) and Mepilex (R) Transfer. The donor sites of 22 split-thickness skin grafts were studied, each of which was covered with Suprathel (R) and Mepilex (R) Transfer dressings side by side. Significantly less pain and bleeding was associated with Suprathel (R) treatment compared with Mepilex (R) Transfer (p < 0.05). Suprathel (R) produced a better scar at the three months' follow-up as measured using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The results show that Suprathel (R) is a better dressing for the donor sites than Mepilex (R) Transfer.