Topical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Systematic Review

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#adult #aged #aged-80-and-over #female #humans

Topical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Systematic Review

Burusapat et al., 2018 | Plast Reconstr Surg | Systematic Review

Citation

Burusapat Chairat, Supawan Monlada, ... Suwantemee Chaichoompol. Topical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Systematic Review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018-Jul;142(1):217-226. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000004515

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aloe vera has been used to treat wounds since ancient times. However, data regarding the efficacy of aloe vera for burns and split-thickness skin graft donor sites are inconclusive. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted. Patients who underwent split-thickness skin graft harvesting from the thigh were included. Split-thickness skin graft donor sites were divided into two groups: the aloe vera group and the placebo group. The visual analogue scale score was used to evaluate pain, and complete epithelialization was assessed. The authors searched electronic databases and included only international clinical trials published in the English language. RESULTS: Twelve patients with 24 donor sites participated. Times to complete epithelization for the aloe vera and placebo groups were 11.5 ± 1.45 and 13.67 ± 1.61 days, respectively (p < 0.05). Visual analogue scale scores after wound dressing for the aloe vera and placebo groups were 17.18 ± 13.17 and 18.63 ± 11.20, respectively. No statistical significance was found between groups. Five articles met the inclusion criteria: four involved burns and one involved split-thickness skin graft donor sites. Three studies of burn wounds demonstrated improved epithelization and one did not. The split-thickness skin graft donor-site study indicated that wound healing time for the control group was significantly different from that of the aloe vera and placebo groups. The healing rate was not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION: Topical aloe vera gel significantly demonstrated accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing but did not show significant pain relief. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, I.

Key Findings

Twelve patients with 24 donor sites participated. Times to complete epithelization for the aloe vera and placebo groups were 11.5 ± 1.45 and 13.67 ± 1.61 days, respectively (p < 0.05). Visual analogue scale scores after wound dressing for the aloe vera and placebo groups were 17.18 ± 13.17 and 18.63 ± 11.20, respectively. No statistical significance was found between groups. Five articles met the inclusion criteria: four involved burns and one involved split-thickness skin graft donor sites. Thr

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population 24 donor sites participated
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Discovery
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Preparations
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Surgical Wound
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Systematic Review, Video-Audio Media
  • Vertical: aloe-vera

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09