Skip to Content
UW Health SMPH

Donor Site Care

Care of a Donor Site with a Transparent Adhesive Dressing

 

Transparent adhesive dressing protects your donor site but does not absorb drainage.  Drainage from the wound will collect under the dressing.  

 

_____  Keep the transparent dressing dry.

 

_____  If drainage collects under the dressing and leaks, it is time to change the dressing.  Call the number at the end of this handout if this problem occurs.

 

_____  Watch for signs and symptoms of infection.  Call the number listed at the end of this handout if any of these problems occur.

 

  • Fever
  • Increased pain
  • Change in drainage of donor site wound
  • Redness going beyond the edges of the donor site wound into the skin around it.

 

Care of a Donor Site with a Gauze Covering

 

_____  Leave the donor site open to air to dry.

 

_____  Starting on ____________, wash the donor site gently each day with mild soap and water.  Rinse the site and pat dry.

 

_____  Starting on _______________, apply moisturizing lotion to the gauze after washing the donor site.

 

_____  Trim the edges of the gauze as it lifts and loosens.

 

_____  Watch for signs and symptoms of infection.  Call the number listed at the end of this handout if any of these problems occur.

 

  • Fever
  • Increased pain
  • Change in drainage of donor site wound
  • Redness going beyond the edges of the donor site wound into the skin around it

 

Care of a Donor site with a Mepilex® Dressing

 

Mepilex® is an absorbent foam dressing with a silicone layer that adheres to intact skin and does not stick to open wounds.

 

_____  Leave the donor site dressing in place until you return to clinic.  Keep it clean and dry.

 

_____  You should call the number listed at the end of this handout and return to clinic to have your dressing checked if any of these problems occur.  Your dressing might need to be changed.

 

  • Outer dressing becomes saturated with too much drainage from the donor site.
  • Outer dressing gets wet.
  • Dressing becomes dislodged, exposing the open donor site.
  • Watch for signs and symptoms of infection.
    • Fever
    • Increased Pain
    • Change in drainage on the donor site dressing
    • Redness going beyond the edges of the donor site dressing into the skin around the the dressing.

 

 Care of a Donor Site after the Dressing Has Been Removed

 

_____  Put on moisturizing lotion to keep a newly healed donor site from drying out and cracking.

 

_____  Treat blisters or open areas with ___________________.

 

_____  Watch for signs and symptoms of infection (see above).  Call the number listed at the end of this handout if you notice any of these problems.

 

Care of Primary Closure Donor Site

 

_____  Keep the site covered until ____________________ with the first dressing.

 

_____  Once the dressing is removed, leave the incision site open to the air.

 

_____  If Steri-strips are used (thin white tapes across your incision), do not remove them until they loosen and fall off on their own.  This takes about one week.

 

_____  You may shower starting on __________________________.  No tub baths.


_____  Watch for signs and symptoms of infection.  Call the number listed at the end of this handout if any of these problems occur.

 

  • Fever
  • Increased pain
  • Change in drainage of donor site wound
  • Redness going beyond the edges of the incision into the skin around it.

 

Phone Numbers

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at:

 

 Monday – Friday  8:00 AM  -  5 PM Surgery Clinic               (608) 263-7502

 

Evening, Nights, Weekends (urgent issues)  Paging operator  (608) 262-0486

Ask for the Burn resident.  Leave your name and phone

number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

 

Spanish version HFFY #5829.

 



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/22/2011

Copyright © 07/22/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5825

Print Health Fact For You