A comparison of dressings in the management of surgical abdominal wounds.

This prospective randomised trial compared the performance of three dressing protocols in the management of 36 dehisced surgical abdominal wounds: a standard alginate; a gauze moistened with sodium hypochlorite (0.05%); and a combine dressing pad. Outcomes assessed were: healing time (cm2 per day and cm3 per day), patient comfort (pain and satisfaction) and cost. There were no statistically significant differences in healing rates between the three groups but there was a trend for the combine dressing pad protocol to produce a greater reduction in wound area. The combine dressing pad protocol performed well when compared with the calcium alginate in terms of healing time, patient comfort and cost. Maximum pain was significantly greater (p = 0.011) and satisfaction significantly lower among patients who received the sodium hypochlorite protocol. Costs during the in-patient phase were also substantially higher for the sodium hypochlorite protocol. Trial results support the view that sodium hypochlorite dressing protocols for surgical wounds should be abandoned.