title: Why gauze dressings should not be the first choice to manage most acute surgical cavity wounds.
abstract: Acute surgical wounds left to heal by secondary intention are often routinely managed with gauze fabric dressings. This paper reviews research that suggests newer, modern dressings are more cost-effective and cause less pain on removal.
authors.affiliation: City Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. ELAINE.BETHELL@swbh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bethell
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000075202:Contraindications; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium