ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application of silver-containing biological dressing in covering transplanted meshed autografts for treatment of open wounds (burns and trauma) by comparing with traditional petrolatum gauge on meshed autografts. MethodsEighteen patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups according to the operation methods. The meshed autografts in the experimental group (6 patients) were covered with silver-containing biological dressing and those in the control group (12 patients) were covered with petrolatum gauge. The demographic data, wound condition, wound infection after skin grafting, time of first post-operative inner layer dressing change, pain score during the first inner layer dressing change, and length of hospital stay were all observed. The survival rate of skin graft, wound infection rate and total cost of hospitalization were also calculated. ResultsThe experimental group had significantly lower wound infection rate (0 vs 50.0%, P<0.05) and pain score at the first inner layer dressing change (2.50±1.05 vs 5.42±2.02, P<0.01) after skin grafting compared with the control group. The period from skin grafting to the first post-operative change of inner layer dressing was significantly longer in the experimental group compared with that in the control group (\[7.50±1.05\] d vs \[4.08±1.31\] d, P<0.01). The experimental group had a significantly shorter hospital stay compared with the control group (\[14.33±1.50\] d vs \[16.42±1.93\] d, P<0.05). Moreover, the survival rate of skin grafting in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (\[97.50±1.87\]% vs \[91.42±4.48\]%, P<0.01). ConclusionWound closing by meshed autografts with silver-containing biological dressing can increase the survival rate of skin graft, shorten wound healing time, reduce local pain, and obtain satisfactory outcome.