Allowing wounds to be uncovered and wet in the first 48 hours after minor skin excision did not differ from standard dry management for wound infections
Q Does allowing wounds to be uncovered and wet in the first 48 hours after minor skin excision differ from standard management of keeping wounds dry in terms of wound infection?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
not concealed.
Blinding:
unblinded.
Follow up period:
to removal of sutures.
Setting:
4 general practices in North Queensland, Australia.
Patients:
870 patients (mean age 56 y, 53% men) who presented for minor skin excision. Exclusion criteria were facial skin excisions; sebaceous cyst excisions; flap or 2 layer procedures; lacerations; current use of oral antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs; or clinical indication for immediate postoperative oral or topical antibiotics.
Intervention:
all excisions were managed using a standardised protocol: skin preparation with normal saline; sterile technique including sterile gloves; recording of type and volume of local anaesthetic; nylon sutures; no antibiotics, topical antiseptics, antiseptic washes, or medicated soap; Melolin and tape dressings; and removal of sutures at 7 days (10 d …
