Comparative Effectiveness of Fluid Absorption Between Superabsorbent and Foam Dressings in Split-Thickness Skin-Graft Donor Sites: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Int Wound JSep 1, 2026
Thanapat Chaisudhiphongskul, Akaradech Attainsee, Chairat Burusapat et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of superabsorbent versus foam dressings in managing fluid absorption in split-thickness skin-graft donor sites among 30 patients. The study found that superabsorbent dressings had significantly higher absorption capacity on days 3, 6, and 9 compared to foam dressings, while both types achieved similar wound healing outcomes.
Key findings
- Superabsorbent dressings absorbed 93 mL of saline compared to 75 mL for foam dressings.
- Absorption power was significantly higher with superabsorbent dressings on day 3 (104.09 vs. 71.87 mg/cm²/day; p=0.034).
- On day 6, superabsorbent dressings showed an absorption power of 84.45 mg/cm²/day compared to 40.91 mg/cm²/day for foam dressings (p<0.001).
- Pain scores were lower with superabsorbent dressings on days 6 and 9, though not statistically significant.
Why it matters
Effective management of exudate in acute wounds is crucial for patient comfort and healing. This study suggests that superabsorbent dressings may offer superior fluid handling, potentially improving patient outcomes in skin-graft donor sites.