title: The value of head dressings for middle ear surgery.
abstract: A prospective trial was performed to ascertain the value of head dressings in the post-operative management of patients undergoing middle ear and mastoid surgery. One hundred consecutive patients were randomly allocated to a head dressing or no head dressing group after wound closure. Nine patients in the head dressing group developed a wound complication as opposed to four patients in the no head dressing group. The application of a pressure dressing following middle ear and mastoid surgery is unnecessary and may contribute to increased wound morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, St George's Hospital and Medical School, London.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rowe-Jones
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Leighton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors