CLINICAL EVALUATION OF EFFECT OF EARLY EXPOSURE OF WOUNDS AFTER MINOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Application of dressings to surgical wounds is a custom as old as history and has become a ritual marking the completion of surgery. Under certain circumstances a surgical dressing might in fact predispose to the development of wound infection. This study evaluates clinical outcome of clean minor surgical wounds without use of surgical dressing. Material and methods: 100 consecutive patients presenting on an outpatient basis for minor soft tissue surgical procedures were studied with respect to wound infection and wound disruption due to avoidance of post operative surgical dressings. Observations:There was only one case of wound infection which subsequently developed wound dehiscence as well. Conclusion: The results suggest that in clean surgical wounds where good haemostasis, optimal coaptation of wound margins and gentle handling of tissue are achieved, there is no increase in the wound complications with respect to wound infection and wound dehiscence when the dressings are removed early and wounds allowed to heal.