Study aim: The aim of this study was to compare the infectious local risk w
hen the wound dressing was removed or not after 48 hours, and to look for t
he other advantages or disadvantages of these two methods.
Patients and method: Two groups of 50 patients who underwent a thoracic or
abdominal procedure, class I or II according to Altmeier, have been randoml
y selected: one received a wound dressing after 48 hours, and the second di
d not.
Results: The clinical features were comparable between the two groups. Ther
e was no significant difference in the outcome of the two groups of patient
s in terms of wound infection (only one infected wound in each group).
Conclusion: Wound dressing usually seems unnecessary. (C) 2001 Editions sci
entifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.