A comparative study of honey-betadine dressing and paraffin gauze dressing on skin graft donor site

Bhargavi V. Voorakalli; Luv Kushagra; Lisha Suraj

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20260974

Authors

Bhargavi V. Voorakalli Department of General Surgery, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Luv Kushagra Department of General Surgery, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Lisha Suraj Department of General Surgery, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20260974

Keywords:

Cosmetic Surgery, Dressings, Honey-betadine, Plastic surgery, Reconstructive surgery, Skin grafting

Abstract

Background: Honey has long been used in Indian medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and wound-healing properties. Split-thickness skin grafting is a common reconstructive method in surgery, yet there is no universally accepted, standardized dressing for donor sites that is simple, affordable and effective. This study evaluates honey as a donor site dressing to establish scientific evidence for its benefits.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at MGM Hospital, Navi Mumbai, from April 2025 to September 2025. Postoperative patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafting for healed ulcers were allocated into two groups: honey–betadine dressing or paraffin gauze dressing at the donor site.

Results: In the honey–betadine group, complete epithelialization occurred in 60% by day 7, 26.6% by day 10 and 6.6% by day 14. In contrast, only 33.3% of the paraffin gauze group healed by day 10, with 73.3% achieving complete healing by day 14 or later. Pain assessment revealed that in the honey–betadine group, 73.3% reported only mild or moderate pain, compared with 26.6% in the paraffin gauze group, where higher proportions experienced severe or very severe pain.

Conclusions: An ideal donor site dressing should be readily available, cost-effective, hydrating, antibacterial, infection-preventive, and promote rapid healing with minimal discomfort. Honey fulfils these criteria, demonstrating faster epithelialization, better pain outcomes and improved patient comfort compared with paraffin gauze.

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