Abstract
Inappropriate use of surgical dressing cause blisters around the surgical wound and increase the incidence of peri-operative wound infection and patients dissatisfaction which influence the outcome of the surgery. It is more so when patients are being treated as a day case procedure. We have not found any study correlating with patient’s satisfaction and surgical dressing.
Objective: To evaluate patient’s preference of surgical dressing and analyse which type of dressing is associated with significant morbidity
Design: Prospective, Non randomised, Clinical study.
Materials and Methods: Two different dressings Opsite post op or Mepore were applied by a single surgeon on 100 patients (50 each group) undergoing same arthroscopic procedure of the knee under general anesthetic were included in this study. They were followed up to 10 days. An independent nurse practitioner evaluated the complication related to the dressing and assessed the satisfaction with the 5 item short questionnaires at outpatients clinic.
Results: Blisters developed in 6% of patients with Mepore dressing (p=0.24) and none with Opsite Post op. 14% Patients with Mepore dressing developed superficial inflammation and this is significantly greater (p< 0.001) than opsite. 86% patients with opsite dressing on were able to take bath and thereby reduce the chance of contamination from the skin flora. 90% patients with opsite rated the dressing as excellent compared to mepore 26%, (p< 0.001)
Conclusion: Patients preferred Opsite post op as the dressing of their choice. It is not associated with dressing related morbidity, may improve better post operative wound healing. It may help to prevent superficial wound infection by contamination. After this study, we have changed our policy.
Honorary Secretary Mr Bimal Singh. Correspondence should be addressed to BOSA (British Orthopaedic Specialists Association), c/o Royal College of Surgeons, 35 – 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
