Management of split skin graft donor sites--results of a national survey.

Unlabelled: The authors wished to obtain a 'snapshot' of the range of practice in the management of split skin graft donor sites in the British Isles.

Material/methods: Questionnaires were sent to all British consultants and locum consultant plastic surgeons on 1 July 2006. Of the 357 questionnaires, 279 were returned (a response rate of 78%).

Results: Alginates were the most popular dressings, especially in adult donor sites--first choice for 167 respondents (60%). Adhesive fabrics were less popular--first choice for small adult donor areas for 46 respondents (16%). Plastic film dressings and Biobrane were even less popular--being the first choice for small and large donor areas, respectively, in children (for approximately 5% of respondents). Ten percent of respondents said they avoid paraffin gauze and another 10% avoid plastic film dressings in all cases. Five percent avoid hydrocolloid and another 5% avoid adhesive fabric in all cases.

Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we feel that any future study of donor-site dressings should incorporate the most commonly used dressing (alginate) as a control.