Abstract | BACKGROUND: Closed dressings are thought to promote postoperative wound healing after laser skin resurfacing; however, quantitative data are lacking. OBJECTIVE: DESIGN: Thirty-five patients with closed dressings compared retrospectively with 35 control subjects with open- wound care. In a prospective evaluation, 27 patients with closed dressings were then compared with 27 historical controls matched by age, sex, skin type, and treatment technique. Erythema, crusting, swelling, pain, pruritus, purpura, long-term complications, and dressing comfort were evaluated. SETTING: Referral-based academic practice. RESULTS: Prospectively, closed-dressing and open- wound care groups differed significantly in maximum erythema severity (1.8 vs 2.0 on a scale of 0-3; P =.03), noticeable erythema duration (15.4 vs 31.1 days; P =.04), and time until complete erythema resolution (41.8 vs 96.1 days; P =.02). Swelling resolution was more rapid in the dressing group (12.1 vs 29.5 days; P =.02). Crusting was limited to uncovered areas in the dressing group, and crusting duration was shorter (5.0 vs 9.1 days; P<.001). Pain was more likely to be reported prospectively, but severity was mild, in the closed-dressing group. Other short- and long-term complications did not differ significantly. Subjective patient attitudes toward the dressing were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusive silicone dressing application decreases immediate postoperative morbidity with significantly reduced severity and duration of erythema and decreased duration of swelling and crusting. Long-term results and complication rates remain unchanged.
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Authors | R S Batra, R J Ort, C Jacob, L Hobbs, K A Arndt, J S Dover |
Journal | Archives of dermatology
(Arch Dermatol)
Vol. 137
Issue 10
Pg. 1317-21
(Oct 2001)
ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States |
PMID | 11594855
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Erythema
(etiology, prevention & control)
- Female
- Humans
- Laser Therapy
(adverse effects)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Occlusive Dressings
- Patient Satisfaction
- Postoperative Period
- Prospective Studies
- Retrospective Studies
- Severity of Illness Index
- Silicones
(therapeutic use)
- Skin Diseases
(surgery)
- Wound Healing
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