title: Clinical evaluation of hydrocolloid dressings for neurosurgical wounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Empirical methods in postoperative wound care have been performed by individual neurosurgeons. We evaluated a hydrocolloid dressing for neurosurgical wounds according to the modern concept of wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2005 to March 2007, we performed 117 cranial neurosurgical procedures in consecutive 100 patients. Karayahesive (ALCARE, Tokyo, Japan), a transparent hydrocolloid dressing, was affixed onto all wounds immediately postoperatively. Clinical evaluations were performed for wound healing, wound infection, and cost-effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Excellent wound healing and cosmetic results were obtained in all patients. There was no incisional surgical site infection. Analysis of cost-effectiveness suggested Karayahesive as superior to conventional gauze-and-tape dressings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Karayahesive fits with the modern concept of wound healing and is a useful dressing for neurosurgical wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Social Insurance Kinan Hospital, Tanabe, Wakayama 646-8588, Japan. yasufujimoto@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Nao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimooka
authors.forename: Yu-Ichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshimine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology