Abstract

Donor site management is pivotal in overall grafting outcomes, emphasising rapid epithelialisation, minimal discomfort, and infection prevention. Polyhexanide and betaine preparations have shown promise in chronic wounds due to their antimicrobial and biofilm-disruptive properties. We report the case of a 24-yearold male who sustained 15% TBSA thermal burns and underwent full-thickness strip grafting following which the donor site wound dehisced. The graft donor site on the right lateral thigh was dressed with Polyhexanide (PHMB)-Betaine gel. The wound was dressed regularly, followed by periodic assessment. The wound demonstrated early re-epithelialization with minimal exudate, no signs of infection, and acceptable patient-reported pain scores. Complete healing was achieved by Post-operative day 14. This case highlights the potential utility of PHMB-betaine gel in donor site management, offering an effective balance of antimicrobial protection and tissue compatibility. Larger controlled studies are warranted to validate these findings further.

• 1.   Yong E, Zhu X, Weng J, Ng MJM, Khoo YM, Lo ZJ. Role of therapeutic treatment with antiseptic solutions in the care of diabetic foot ulcers. J Wound Care. 2025;34:S4–13.
• 2.   Babalska ZŁ, Korbecka-Paczkowska M, Karpiński TM. Wound Antiseptics and European Guidelines for Antiseptic Application in Wound Treatment. Pharm Basel Switz. 2021;14:1253.
• 3.   Kaehn K. Polihexanide: a safe and highly effective biocide. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010;23 Suppl:7–16.
• 4.   Ikeda T, Ledwith A, Bamford CH, Hann RA. Interaction of a polymeric biguanide biocide with phospholipid membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1984;769:57–66.
• 5.   Dissemond J, Assadian O, Gerber V, Kingsley A, Kramer A, Leaper DJ, et al. Classification of wounds at risk and their antimicrobial treatment with polihexanide: a practiceoriented expert recommendation. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2011;24:245–55.
• 6.   Salisbury AM, Mullin M, Chen R, Percival SL. Antibiofilm Efficacy of Polihexanide, Octenidine and Sodium Hypochlorite/ Hypochlorous Acid Based Wound Irrigation Solutions against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a Multispecies Biofilm. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2022;1369:53–67.
• 7.   Andriessen AE, Eberlein T. Assessment of a wound cleansing solution in the treatment of problem wounds. Wounds Compend Clin Res Pract. 2008;20:171–5.
• 8.   Ciprandi G, Ramsay S, Budkevich L, Strack A, van Capellen P, Marathovouniotis N. A retrospective systematic data review on the use of a polihexanide-containing product on burns in children. J Tissue Viability. 2018;27:244–8.
• 9.   Oropallo A, Snyder RJ, Karpf A, Valencia D, Curtin CR, Cetnarowski W. Quality of life improvement in patients with hard-to-heal leg wounds treated with Prontosan wound irrigation solution and wound gel. J Wound Care. 2021;30:854–65.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding