The effect of topical 2% hydrogen peroxide versus normal saline dressing on split-thickness skin grafts in diabetic foot patients – a randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Dr. Kanchan Sone Lal Baitha Additional Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
  • Dr. Anunay Kumar Senior Resident, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
  • Dr. Rajeev Ranjan Senior Resident, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
  • Dr. Nadeem Ahmed Additional Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
  • Dr. Prem Prakash Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
  • Dr. Rinku Kumari Additional Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/pfsyra33

Keywords:

Diabetic foot ulcer, split-thickness skin graft, hydrogen peroxide, wound dressing, graft uptake, angiogenesis, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background:

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and are associated with impaired wound healing and an increased risk of lower-extremity amputation. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) provides effective wound coverage, but graft failure remains a concern in diabetic patients. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has antimicrobial and potentially pro-healing properties that may improve graft outcomes.

Methods:

This prospective, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial is being conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna. Thirty diabetic foot patients aged 18–75 years undergoing STSG will be randomized equally to receive either 2% H2O2 dressing (group a) or normal saline dressing (group b). The primary outcomes are percentage graft take, graft viability, and time to complete wound closure. Graft adherence, pain, bleeding, infection, and other postoperative complications will also be assessed.

Results:

The trial is ongoing, and final quantitative outcome data are not yet available. Participants are being followed prospectively according to the predefined postoperative dressing protocol. Comparative assessment of percentage graft take, graft viability, wound closure, and postoperative complications between the two groups will be performed after completion of the study.

Conclusion:

The study will provide comparative evidence on the effectiveness and safety of 2% H2O2 versus normal saline dressing following STSG in diabetic foot patients.

Recommendation:

The routine use of 2% H2O2 should be considered only after confirmation of its efficacy and safety through the completed trial.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Kanchan Sone Lal Baitha, Additional Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India

    is an additional professor in the Department of General Surgery at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. Her professional interests include general surgery, surgical wound management, and clinical research.

  • Dr. Anunay Kumar, Senior Resident, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India

    is a senior resident in the Department of General Surgery at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. His clinical and academic interests include general surgery and surgical management of complex wounds

  • Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Senior Resident, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India

    is a senior resident in the Department of General Surgery at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. His professional interests include general surgery and clinical research.

  • Dr. Nadeem Ahmed, Additional Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India

    is an additional professor in the Department of General Surgery at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. His areas of professional interest include general surgery, surgical wound management, and clinical research.

  • Dr. Prem Prakash, Professor, Department of General Surgery, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India

    is a professor in the Department of General Surgery at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. He is involved in clinical practice, surgical education, and research in general surgery.

References

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Published

2026-09-16

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): June 2026 issue

Section

Section of Anesthesia and Surgery Research

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Kanchan Sone Lal Baitha, Dr. Anunay Kumar, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Dr. Nadeem Ahmed, Dr. Prem Prakash, Dr. Rinku Kumari

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Kanchan Lal Baitha, B., Anunay, K., Rajeev, R., Ahmed, N., Prem, P., & Kumari. (2026). The effect of topical 2% hydrogen peroxide versus normal saline dressing on split-thickness skin grafts in diabetic foot patients – a randomized controlled trial. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 7(2), 7. https://doi.org/10.51168/pfsyra33

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