Authors:

Mayukh Bhattacharyya, Helen Bradley, Sian Holder, Bruno Gerber

Background:

There is a paucity of data in the published literature as to the true incidence of tape blistering and its association with the use of a particular type of dressing or surgical procedure.

Objective:

This clinical audit was conducted to record the true level of skin blistering in patients undergoing arthroscopy of the knee. A secondary objective was to investigate the level of patient satisfaction with the dressing used.

Method:

The audit was conducted over a 14-month period. Patients were sequentially allocated to management with either OpSite Post-Op or Mepore dressings.

Results:

Blisters developed in 6% of patients managed with Mepore dressings, but were not recorded in the OpSite Post-Op group. Significantly more patients managed with the Mepore dressing developed superficial inflammation of the wound site (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction was higher in the OpSite Post-Op group with 86% of patients able to bathe.

Conclusion:

The results confirm the findings of other investigators that choice of dressing may be an important factor in influencing post-operative outcome in otherwise uncomplicated surgery.

Declaration of interest:

None.