title: Comparative study of innovative postoperative wound dressings after total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postoperative wound complications, especially surgical site infections, influence the outcome after total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of our study was to compare four different wound dressings. Following research questions were asked : (1) Which dressing is associated with least wound complications? (2) Which dressing application is the cheapest? (3) Which dressing is most comfortable for the patient?
  
  
  METHODS
  111 patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty were randomized in 4 groups. Each group received a different dressing with its specific wound management protocol : (1) Zetuvit® with Cosmopor E®, (2) Zetuvit® with Opsite Post-Op Visible®, (3) Aquacel Surgical® and (4) Mepilex Border®. Follow-up evaluations were performed on the fifth postoperative day and included assessment of the wound, status of the wound dressing and the patient's own judgment. Cumulative costs were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinically Mepilex Border®, a silicone dressing, scored the best. No wound complications were seen in this group. The mean number of dressing renewals was 1.9 for the standard dressing which was significantly higher (p<.0001) compared to the other dressings. Opsite Post-op Visible® was the cheapest dressing. Mepilex Border® had the best scores for pain, freedom of movement and general comfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mepilex Border® is the most skin-friendly dressing. The number of dressing renewals is a defining factor to calculate the costs. Mepilex Border® appeared to be the best dressing to use after a total knee arthroplasty.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dobbelaere
authors.forename: Nika
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schuermans
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smet
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Der Straeten
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Victor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001684:Biological Dressings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult