Do Wound Protectors Protect From Surgical-Site Infection?
Edwards JP, Ho AL, Tee MC, Dixon E, Ball CG
Ann Surg. 2012;256:53-59
Do wound protectors reduce the risk for surgical-site infection (SSI)? The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 347 studies, focusing on 6 randomized trials from 1984 to 2010 that included a total of 1008 patients. Wound protectors significantly reduced the risk for SSI (risk ratio = 0.55; P = .04). Dual wound protectors may be even more effective, but the power of this meta-analysis was insufficient to confirm this finding.
SSI is a serious complication that leads to increased morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. This meta-analysis concluded that wound protectors reduce the risk for this complication by about 50% and do not interfere with other known measures that can be used concurrently to reduce the risk for SSI. The studies included in this meta-analysis were performed over a period of approximately 25 years, and SSI rates may have changed during that time. A weakness of the study is that it was not possible to control for variables such as smoking and body temperature, which are factors that have been linked to wound infection.
Abstract
Wound Protectors Reduce Surgical Site Infection: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Edwards JP, Ho AL, Tee MC, Dixon E, Ball CG
Ann Surg. 2012;256:53-59
Summary
Do wound protectors reduce the risk for surgical-site infection (SSI)? The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 347 studies, focusing on 6 randomized trials from 1984 to 2010 that included a total of 1008 patients. Wound protectors significantly reduced the risk for SSI (risk ratio = 0.55; P = .04). Dual wound protectors may be even more effective, but the power of this meta-analysis was insufficient to confirm this finding.
Viewpoint
SSI is a serious complication that leads to increased morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. This meta-analysis concluded that wound protectors reduce the risk for this complication by about 50% and do not interfere with other known measures that can be used concurrently to reduce the risk for SSI. The studies included in this meta-analysis were performed over a period of approximately 25 years, and SSI rates may have changed during that time. A weakness of the study is that it was not possible to control for variables such as smoking and body temperature, which are factors that have been linked to wound infection.
Abstract
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