Postoperative showering for clean and clean-contaminated wounds. A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Journal
Annals of Surgery
Journal Volume
263
Journal Issue
5
Pages
931-936
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Hsieh P.-Y.
Chen H.-Y.
Chang C.-H.
Wang C.-L.
Chiag P.-Y.
Chen H.-P.
Shiao C.-W.
Chien H.-F.
Yu P.-J.
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate wound infection rates, pain scores, satisfaction with wound care, and wound care costs starting 48 hours after surgery. Background: Showering after surgery is a controversial issue for wound care providers and patients. We investigated the benefits and detriments of showering for postoperative wound care. Methods: Patients undergoing thyroid, lung, inguinal hernia, and face and extremity surgeries with clean or clean-contaminated wounds were included. The patients were randomized to allow showering (shower group) or to keep the wound dry (nonshower group) for postoperative wound care starting 48 hours after surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of surgical wound infection. The secondary endpoints included the wound pain score, satisfaction with wound care, and cost of wound care. Results: Between May 2013 and March 2014, there were 222 patients randomized to the shower group and 222 to the nonshower group. Two patients in each group were lost to follow-up. There were 4 superficial surgical site infections in the shower group and 6 in the nonshower group (4/220, 1.8% vs 6/220, 2.7%, P=0.751). Postoperative pain scores were comparable between the 2 groups. Patients in the shower group were more satisfied with their method of wound care, and their wound care costs were lower when compared with the nonshower group. Conclusions: Clean and clean-contaminated wounds can be safely showered 48 hours after surgery. Postoperative showering does not increase the risk of surgical site complications. It may increase patients' satisfaction and lower the cost of wound care. Copyright ? 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
antibiotic agent; povidone iodine; sodium chloride; tetracycline; absorbable suture; add on therapy; adhesive bandage; adult; antibiotic therapy; Article; bath; chest tube; controlled study; drainage tube; face surgery; female; follow up; gauze dressing; health care cost; hernioplasty; human; infection rate; inguinal hernia; intervention study; lung surgery; major clinical study; male; middle aged; nylon suture; open study; pain assessment; patient satisfaction; postoperative care; postoperative pain; priority journal; prospective study; randomized controlled trial; surgical infection; surgical patient; thyroid surgery; wound care; wound drain; wound drainage; wound dressing; wound healing; bath; pain measurement; postoperative pain; procedures; Surgical Wound Infection; time factor; treatment outcome; wound healing; Baths; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Patient Satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Surgical Wound Infection; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
Publisher
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Type
journal article