title: Does the postoperative dressing regime affect wound healing after hip or knee arthroplasty?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this literature review is to enable practitioners to make informed decisions about how to manage patients with hip or knee arthroplasty wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic critique of the evidence in relation to how the postoperative dressing regime may affect wound healing after hip or knee arthroplasty, was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No single treatment emerged as the ideal postoperative dressing regime for hip and knee arthroplasty wounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A selection of dressings is recommended for hip and knee arthroplasty wounds, on the basis of reducing the incidence of postoperative blistering and wound infection.
authors.affiliation: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK. alison.collins@belfasttrust.hscni.net
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D001458:Bandages / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D010539:Permeability; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014945:Wound Healing