[Central venous catheter related infections: comparison of polyurethane film and gauze/tape dressing].

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used in clinical practice; catheter related infection is the most important cause of sepsis in surgical patients . In the present study, we compared the effect of two different dressings in CVCs related infections and evaluated microorganisms involved. We studied 124 CVCs inserted patients. CVC was inserted under strict aseptic technique according to guidelines via percutaneous puncture of internal jugular or femoral vein. CVC dressing was made with gauze/tape in 60 patients (group A) and with polyurethane film in 64 patients (group B). Duration of catheterization was 5,27 SD 1,76 days in group A and 11,30 SD 5,84 days in group B. Statistical analysis showed a significant lower infection rate in tape/gauze dressings while polyurethane film dressings seemed to predispose to infections. For the statistic analysis we have used z statistic test and the contingency analysis charts.