Evaluation of Opsite catheter dressings for parenteral nutrition: a prospective, randomized study.

A prospective, randomized study compared the use of Opsite and standard gauze/tape dressings in 261 patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Eighty-four patients had a source of external drainage and were evaluated as a separate group. Catheter-related sepsis was assessed by blood culture, catheter tip culture, clinical sepsis, and clinical defervescence of fever after catheter removal. Although no statistically significant difference between Opsite and standard dressings could be identified, Opsite-treated patients consistently had increased parameters of catheter-related sepsis in all comparisons. As used here, Opsite is probably not a suitable catheter dressing system for parenteral nutrition.