A thrombin ointment that achieves rapid haemostasis of split thickness donor wounds, particularly on the scalp

Abstract

A procedure is described to achieve rapid haemostasis of split thickness donor wounds by using an ointment containing thrombin (10,000 units mixed in 10 g of petroleum jelly-based gentamicin ointment). The ointment, prepared just before the removal of the skin graft, is immediately spread over the wound after the graft has been taken. With this technique, a steady haemostasis is promptly and simply achieved without the recurrence of bleeding compared to the technique using only a thrombin solution (bleeding time: a mean of 11.5 s for the thrombin ointment and 25.5 s for the thrombin solution, P less than 0.01). Thus, particularly when many skin grafts are needed, further skin grafts from adjacent areas can be readily taken without interference by bleeding. This procedure has proved to be extremely useful in achieving rapid haemostasis of split thickness skin donor wounds, especially when taking skin grafts from the scalp.