CHALLENGING DONOR SITE PROBLEMS – CORTICOSTEROID CREAM, HAZARD, OR OPPORTUNITY
Tiimo, P., Andersson, K., Lindford, A.
Donor site problems are common after skin graft operations and can arise from heavy bleeding, dressing detachment or slippage, infection, selection of the wrong product and inadequate patient guidance.
The donor site should heal within two weeks with the primary dressing. Suprathel® or Aquacel foam® dressings are usually used at the Helsinki Burn Centre. When Suprathel® is used, the wound is initially evaluated daily with changing of the upper absorbent dressings and thereafter only, when necessary, as wound discharge decreases. Aquacel foam® is kept in place for two weeks unless the dressing becomes full of exudate. In the latter case, a new dressing is applied within 1-2 days and is left in place until epithelialization is complete.
OBJECTIVES
The aim was to analyze the use of corticosteroid cream in the treatment of donor sites with delayed (> 2 weeks) healing. Another aim was to reduce or find an alternative to the use of silver products.
METHODS
The study period was 1/2020–3/2022 and included 15 number of patients with an average age of 50 years. The most common donor site was the lower limb. Follow-up was daily during inpatient care or weekly in the outpatient clinic / image consultation.
The nurses always consult the doctor regarding the choice of wound product and treatment with corticosteroid cream was only commenced on the doctors’ orders. Possible donor site infections requiring antibiotic treatment were excluded from the use of the cream.
Corticosteroid treatment was daily and involved cleansing and application of an overlying non-stick dressing. Outpatient directed treatment included oral and written guidance for the patients.
RESULTS
Corticosteroid therapy was administered for an average of 1-2 weeks and treatment progress monitored using regular photographs. Corticosteroid cream provided an alternative to silver dressings and reduced costs and treatment time in some patients.
CONCLUSION
Corticosteroid cream treatment initiated at the appropriate time can reduce the use of silver products. It may also reduce the need for antibiotics. The functionality of the overlying dressing is important as well as the effect of the dressing on pain experienced by the patient. In further studies, it would be interesting to look at the effect of corticosteroid ointment on the pain experience and the use and quantity of analgesics.

**CHALLENGING DONOR SITE PROBLEMS – CORTICOSTEROID CREAM, HAZARD, OR OPPORTUNITY**
Tiimo, P., Andersson, K., Lindford, A.
Donor site problems are common after skin graft operations and can arise from heavy bleeding, dressing detachment or slippage, infection, selection of the wrong product and inadequate patient guidance.
The donor site should heal within two weeks with the primary dressing. Suprathel® or Aquacel foam® dressings are usually used at the Helsinki Burn Centre. When Suprathel® is used, the wound is initially evaluated daily with changing of the upper absorbent dressings and thereafter only, when necessary, as wound discharge decreases. Aquacel foam® is kept in place for two weeks unless the dressing becomes full of exudate. In the latter case, a new dressing is applied within 1-2 days and is left in place until epithelialization is complete.
**OBJECTIVES**
The aim was to analyze the use of corticosteroid cream in the treatment of donor sites with delayed (> 2 weeks) healing. Another aim was to reduce or find an alternative to the use of silver products.
**METHODS**
The study period was 1/2020–3/2022 and included 15 number of patients with an average age of 50 years. The most common donor site was the lower limb. Follow-up was daily during inpatient care or weekly in the outpatient clinic / image consultation.
The nurses always consult the doctor regarding the choice of wound product and treatment with corticosteroid cream was only commenced on the doctors’ orders. Possible donor site infections requiring antibiotic treatment were excluded from the use of the cream.
Corticosteroid treatment was daily and involved cleansing and application of an overlying non-stick dressing. Outpatient directed treatment included oral and written guidance for the patients.
**RESULTS**
Corticosteroid therapy was administered for an average of 1-2 weeks and treatment progress monitored using regular photographs. Corticosteroid cream provided an alternative to silver dressings and reduced costs and treatment time in some patients.
**CONCLUSION**
Corticosteroid cream treatment initiated at the appropriate time can reduce the use of silver products. It may also reduce the need for antibiotics. The functionality of the overlying dressing is important as well as the effect of the dressing on pain experienced by the patient. In further studies, it would be interesting to look at the effect of corticosteroid ointment on the pain experience and the use and quantity of analgesics.

P.151 Challenging donor site problems – Corticosteroid cream, hazard or opportunity

Dear friends and colleagues,

We will be pleased to welcome you in Turin (Italy) for the 19th European Burns Association´s Congress in 2022. Italy is honored to hold the meeting of the European Burns Association for the second time, after Verona in 1995. Turin is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe, either travelling by car, train or choosing flight connections. During the meeting, held in the renewed industrial center of the main Italian historical automotive factory (i.e. Lingotto-FIAT), we will meet international burn specialists, focusing on standards of care, progresses in burn treatment, strategies to face disaster situations, with a special attention to education of younger colleagues. However, in your spare time, you might enjoy the sweet days of Italian late summer, simply wandering in the green parks and gardens along the two rivers which cross the city, or you might decide to discover the numerous art galleries, churches, palaces, libraries, walking across elegant squares and large boulevards, passing through centuries of art and history; finally, you may choose to immerse yourself in some of the most exciting museum experiences, such as the Cinema Museum and the Turin’s Egyptian museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Turin for the 19th European Association´s Congress in 2022!
Maurizio Stella, Congress President, Turin Burn Centre