Non-woven tape and orange based adhesive remover for skin graft stabilization: A simple and non-traumatic technique

Background: Skin grafts are commonly used to facilitate burn wound closure. Staples or sutures used to graft skin can be painful. We studied the use of non-woven tape to fix the skin graft and an orange oil based adhesive remover to remove the tape. Objective: To compare skin graft attachment, pain and financial costs using non-woven tape and orange-based adhesive remover or staples. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in hospitalized burn patients who received skin graft for wound closure on the extremities or body. Burn patients were randomized to receive either non-woven tape (study group) or staples (control). The staples or tape were removed seven days after grafting. The non-woven tape was removed using an orange oil based adhesive remover and the staples were taken off with a standard staple remover. The skin graft attachment area, days to complete wound healing, pain score and cost of treatment were compared. Results: Non-woven tape fixed the skin graft as effectively as staples. No differences in the area of skin graft take or days to wound closure were observed. The pain score (p<0.05) and cost of treatment (p<0.05) in the present study group was significantly lower. No allergic reactions or other complications were observed. Conclusion: Non-woven tape and removal with orange oil based adhesive remover fixed skin grafts were as effective as staples but with less pain and lower costs. Non-woven tape is an effective and cost efficient method to fix skin grafts on the extremities and body.