IS TAKING SHOWERS POSTOPERATIVELY A RISK FACTOR IN WOUND-HEALING

A prospective randomized study was designed to determine the effect of postoperative water contact on tissue healing. A total of 121 patient s undergoing open hernia repair was divided into two groups. The first group was permitted to shower postoperatively, allowing the wound to come into direct contact with the water, the second group was instruct ed to keep the incision dry. Water contact, wound healing and patient satisfaction were assessed. There was no difference in wound healing b etween the two groups and no manifest infection.