A prospective controlled trial of Biobrane versus scarlet red on skin graft donor areas.

A prospective trial of Biobrane versus scarlet red as a skin graft donor site dressing was done in 21 burn patients with mean total body surface area burns of 31.9%. Corresponding body areas were randomly selected on each patient to receive one of the dressings. Daily evaluations were made of subjective expression of pain, exudate formation and infection, and time of separation of the dressing from the wound. Biobrane was found to be superior in reducing donor site pain. However, with Biobrane there was a higher incidence of infection (57% v 9.5%) and a significant delay in separation from the wound. Scarlet red was found to be more cost-effective. Occlusive dressings have previously been shown to have a high incidence of complications (30%). In extensive burns, isolating the donor site from the wound is difficult and may lead to increased complications. Scarlet red appears to be superior to Biobrane for skin graft donor sites in this patient population.