Choice of dressing has a major impact on blistering and healing outcomes in orthopaedic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of three postoperative dressings on orthopaedic wound healing.


METHODS
Three hundred orthopaedic patients were divided into three treatment groups and allocated to management with one of three dressings: Primapore, Tegaderm with pad, and OpSite Post-Op. Staff completed a questionnaire to evaluate the wound progression. Outcome measures were the presence of infection, blistering and the number of dressing changes required.


RESULTS
There was a significantly lower incidence of blistering with OpSite Post-Op (6%) than Tegaderm with pad (16%) and Primapore (24%) (p<0.001). Patients in the OpSite Post-Op group had the lowest exudate levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Dressings that employ a clear film and have a high moisture vapour transmission rate have been shown to reduce both the rate of blistering and wound discharge. The additional expense inherent in using such dressings may, in reality, prove cost-effective because of the reduced need for dressings changes and the subsequent earlier discharge of these patients from hospital with an uncomplicated wound.
Cosker
T
T
Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK. tomcosker@hotmail.com
Elsayed
S
S
Gupta
S
S
Mendonca
A D
AD
Tayton
K J J
KJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D001768:Blister / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D018579:Patient Selection; D010539:Permeability; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
C027324:Opsiture; D011140:Polyurethanes