title: Duration of postoperative dressing after mini-open carpal tunnel release: a prospective, randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, we hypothesized that there would be no difference in short-term functional, subjective, and blinded wound outcome measures between patients treated after mini-open carpal tunnel release (CTR) with a postoperative bulky dressing for 2 weeks and those with dressing removal and placement of an adhesive strip after 48 to 72 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 94 consecutive patients underwent mini-open CTR and placement of a bulky dressing and were randomized to either bandage removal at 48 to 72 hours with placement of an adhesive strip or continuation of the postoperative dressing until initial follow-up at approximately 2 weeks. We evaluated patient demographics, Levine-Katz scores, range of motion, strength, and a blinded assessment of wound healing at approximately 2 weeks and between 6 and 12 weeks. We conducted paired and independent sample t-tests to evaluate for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in Levine-Katz scores between groups at either the first follow-up or final visit. One patient with a longer dressing duration had evidence of a wound dehiscence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Removal of a bulky dressing after mini-open CTR and replacement with an adhesive strip at 48 to 72 hours causes no wound complications and results in equal short-term clinical and subjective outcome measures compared with using a bulky dressing for 2 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic I.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Arts and Research Building, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
authors: Andrew W
authors: AW
authors: Ritting
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Leger
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: O'Malley
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Mogielnicki
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Tucker
authors: Craig M
authors: CM
authors: Rodner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*