Decreased pain in split-thickness skin graft donor sites with the use of a non-adherent polyurethane dressing

Donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are painful and limit patient rehabilitation. We conducted this study to assess the efficacy of a non-adherent polyurethane dressing in reducing pain and its effect on the epithelialization rate of donor sites of STSGs. Methods: Fifteen patients requiring an STSG were included. In 10 patients the donor sites were randomly divided into two halves and covered with either a non-adherent polyurethane dressing or a standard non-adherent gauze. In five patients with bilateral donor sites, one side was covered with the non-adherent polyurethane dressing and the other with non-adherent gauze. The pain was assessed with a visual analog scale and epithelialization was also assessed, calculating non-epithelialized areas with image software by a blinded surgeon. Epithelialization of the wounds covered with the non-adherent polyurethane dressing was assessed at day 8 and 10 and those with non-adherent gauze at day 10. Results: Postoperative pain significantly decreased with the non-adherent polyurethane dressing during the length of the study (6.07 ± 1.46 vs. 1.72 ± 1.6) and at each time point (p < 0.001). Epithelialization was not affected with the polyurethane dressing, compared to the standard method

The Versatility of Autologous Fat Transplantation in Abnormalities of the Craniofacial-Complex and Facial Esthetics

In the historical pursuit of soft tissue augmentation, fat has seemed a natural choice for plastic surgeons. The use of fat transfer to replace volume or camouflage soft tissues is an increasingly popular method in craniofacial surgery and facial esthetics. Craniofacial malformations undoubtedly have a certain psychosocial effect. Children of early age are particularly vulnerable to comments, teasing, and harassment related to their appearance; therefore, improving the facial image is of great importance. We believe that volumetric lipoinjection represents an excellent alternative to obtain greater facial esthetic harmony, which directly increases patient self-esteem in children and adults