Is pressure dressing necessary after ear surgery?

Compressive bandages carry intrinsic risks and complications. The purpose o f this study was to assess whether compressive head bandages are necessary after ear surgery to prevent complications such as hematoma or wound infect ion. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted from August 1, 1993, to June 1, 1999. We randomly assigned 420 consecutive middle ear o r mastoid operations to either a pressure bandage group or to a no-pressure bandage group. A careful follow-up was planned, and complications were rec orded. In the pressure bandage group, 3 patients had bruising over the pinn a and 70 patients had minor skin erythema when the dressing was removed. No patient had bruising or erythema in the no-pressure bandage group. No pati ent had hematoma, wound infection, or any other wound complication in eithe r group. As a result of this study, we have decided to abandon the use of c ompression bandages after uncomplicated ear surgery.