Decrease in donor site erythema by application of hyperthermia.

To reduce the erythematous discoloration of donor sites used for split-thickness skin grafts, we applied mild topical hyperthermia to the donor sites in 10 patients. Disposable chemical pocket warmers served as the source of heat and were kept in place for 8 hours daily for 8 weeks. Untreated controls consisted of the application of "used" warmers to another part of the lesion. Results were graded subjectively by physicians and patients as effective or ineffective. Quantitative evaluation of the change in the redness of the donor site was used as a system for color analysis. Changes in blood flow were evaluated with the laser Doppler flowmeter, and were evaluated after the application of heat for 8 weeks. Lessening of the erythema and a decrease in blood flow were observed in the affected areas of all subjects. There were no adverse effects.