Introduction: This study compared the effectiveness ofbanana leaf dressing (BLD) with the commonly usedVaseline gauze dressing (VGD) on split-thickness skingraft (SSG) donor sites. VGD is not completely nonadherent and is associated with pain on removal. BLD issmooth, non-adherent, pain-free and available.Methods: In this prospective study, consecutive patientswere dressed with either BLD or VGD. Ease of applyingand removing the dressings was scored. Pain scoreswere taken on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Onday 10, the dressing was changed, epithelializationrecorded and a swab taken for microbial culture.Average cost of each dressing was calculated. Results:There was no significant difference betweenpostoperative pain scores with either dressing(p=0.992). BLD patients had less pain on dressingchange (p=0.006). Both dressings were easy to apply;BLD was easier to remove (p=0.000). Wounds withBLD re-epithelialized faster (p=0.0158). 40% of woundsgrew no organism on microbial culture, 25% grewStaphylococcus aureus and 35% grew unusualorganisms (p=0.482). VGD was 4 times more expensivethan BLD (p=0.000). Conclusion: Banana leaf dressingis effective and highly recommended for dressing SSGdonor sites.
