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Does the postoperative dressing regime affect wound healing after hip or knee arthroplasty?

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2011.20.1.11

    Abstract

    • Objective: The aim of this literature review is to enable practitioners to make informed decisions about how to manage patients with hip or knee arthroplasty wounds.

    • Method: A systematic critique of the evidence in relation to how the postoperative dressing regime may affect wound healing after hip or knee arthroplasty, was undertaken.

    • Results: No single treatment emerged as the ideal postoperative dressing regime for hip and knee arthroplasty wounds.

    • Conclusion: A selection of dressings is recommended for hip and knee arthroplasty wounds, on the basis of reducing the incidence of postoperative blistering and wound infection.

    • Conflict of interest: None.

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