Effect of Postoperative Dressing on Excisions Performed on the Leg: A Comparison Between Zinc Oxide Compression Dressings Versus Standard Wound Care.

BACKGROUND

Wound healing on the legs may be complicated by delayed healing and other postoperative problems. Two potential postoperative wound care regimens for sutured excisions on the legs include a standard pressure dressing and zinc oxide compression dressings. Limited data exist comparing the efficacy of these 2 options.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of standard postoperative wound care dressing versus postoperative use of a zinc oxide compression dressings for sutured repairs on the legs.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, healing time and complication rate of 44 patients treated with standard dressing and 36 patients treated with zinc oxide compression dressings were compared.

RESULTS

At 19 days, 91.7% of patients receiving zinc oxide dressing were fully healed, whereas only 65.9% of patients receiving standard wound care were healed. Complications were noted in 6 of the patients receiving standard dressing (13.6%); no complications occurred in the zinc oxide dressing group.

CONCLUSION

Zinc oxide compression dressings were a practical option for postoperative wound care, with decreased incidence of delayed wound healing, and fewer complications versus standard postoperative wound dressing.