The Effect of Postoperative Dressing Change Frequency on Wound Healing and Complications in Patients Undergoing Carpal Tunnel Release - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Q: What question does the study investigate about postoperative dressing changes?

The study compares whether single dressing or intermittent dressing changes (every other day) produce better wound healing indicators and fewer complications after carpal tunnel release surgery.

Q: How were patients assigned to dressing protocols and what was the assessment timeline?

Sixty patients planned for carpal tunnel release were randomized into two groups: single dressing (group A) or intermittent dressing changes every other day (group B). After two weeks, wound healing indicators and infection-related signs were assessed.

Q: What were the key findings comparing the two dressing protocols?

Overall, measured wound healing indicators and complications showed no significant differences between groups. The epithelialization rate was higher in the single-dressing group.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Mary Man

Objectives: Post-operative wound complications are relatively common. The development of an optimal protocol for the frequency of wound dressing change that results in minimal complications seems crucial. The current study compared single vs intermittent dressing change protocols for patients undergoing carpal tunnel release (CTR) regarding wound healing indicators and complications. Methods: In a two-arm parallel randomized trial, 60 CTR patients were assigned to single dressing or intermittent changes every other day, assessed after two weeks. Results: No significant differences were found except a higher epithelialization rate in the single-dressing group. Conclusion: Intermittent dressing changes did not improve healing or reduce complications compared with a single dressing, and the single protocol was more cost-beneficial.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Background and rationale

Materials and Methods

Study setting and ethics

Results

Discussion

RESEARCH ARTICLE The Effect of Postoperative Dressing Change Frequency on Wound Healing and Complications in Patients Undergoing Carpal Tunnel Release: A Randomized Clinical Trial Amin Hozhabr, MD; Mahla Daliri, MD; Ehsan Vahedi, MD; Mahdi Afarideh Sani, MD; Ali Moradi, MD, PhD Research performed at Orthopedics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Received: 9 April 2024 Accepted: 5 October 2024 Abstract Objectives: Post-operative wound complications are relatively common. The development of an optimal protocol for the frequency of wound dressing change that results in minimal complications seems crucial. The current study aims to compare two different protocols of single and intermittent dressing change for patients undergoing carpal tunnel release (CTR) in terms of: 1) wound healing indicatorsand 2) complications. Methods: In this two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial study, 60 patients who were planned to undergo CTR were enrolled. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: group A) receiving a single dressing, and group B) receiving intermittent dressing changes every other day. After two weeks, all patients were evaluated for epithelialization, exudate amount, localized pain, localized erythema, localized edema, delayed healing, necrosis, fibrosis, final overall wound condition, final skin condition as indicators of wound healing, and signs of infection. We also employed the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate the pain intensity. Results: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of basic demographic variables. The results revealed no significant difference in any of the measured wound healing indicators and complications except for the epithelialization rate which was higher in the single-dressing group (8 patients in the single group vs. 0 in the intermittent group; P-value < 0.001) . Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that use of the intermittent dressing change protocol for CTR surgery wounds does not improve wound healing or mitigate complications, in comparison to the single dressing protocol, which is more cost-beneficial. Level of evidence: II Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome , Early dressing removal , Mini-open carpal tunnel release , Postoperative dressing Introduction P ost-operative wound dressing plays a critical role in wound healing, by providing a protective barrier over the incision site that prevents direct contact, contamination, infection, and controlling potential bleeding.1 Wound environment, pathological components, and patient’s condition are three major determinants of the healing process quality. The frequency of dressing change, as one of the factors affecting the wound environment, can influence the healing process.2 An appropriate dressing protocol can play a crucial role in promoting a more effective wound-healing process with fewer complications.3 This is achieved by facilitating timely and efficient healing while preventing surgical site infections (SSIs).4,5 There is limited literature specifically focused on the association between dressing change frequency and postsurgical wound outcomes,6 particularly in the field of hand surgery. Most of these studies have compared no dressing and keeping the dressing for a longer period and have not focused on frequent dressing changes.7-13 A protocol involving the retention of dressings for five days following spine fusion surgery in approximately 8000 cases significantly lowered the rate of surgical site infections (SSIs).7 In hand surgery, two studies revealed no difference in Levine score and wound healing process between dressing removal after 24-72 hours and retaining it for two weeks. 14,15 Again, another study found no distinction in wound complications, such as infection, among three protocols: no dressing, having it replaced twice a week, and keeping it for two weeks.16 Two Cochrane systematic reviews and meta-analyses presented consi

FAQs

What question does the study investigate about postoperative dressing changes?

The study compares whether single dressing or intermittent dressing changes (every other day) produce better wound healing indicators and fewer complications after carpal tunnel release surgery.

How were patients assigned to dressing protocols and what was the assessment timeline?

Sixty patients planned for carpal tunnel release were randomized into two groups: single dressing (group A) or intermittent dressing changes every other day (group B). After two weeks, wound healing indicators and infection-related signs were assessed.

What were the key findings comparing the two dressing protocols?

Overall, measured wound healing indicators and complications showed no significant differences between groups. The epithelialization rate was higher in the single-dressing group.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Mary Man