Comparison of hydrocolloid with conventional gauze dressing in prevention of wound infection after clean surgical procedures

To compare hydrocolloid with conventional gauze dressing in prevention of infections after clean surgical procedures. Randomized controlled trial. Department of Surgery, CMH Rawalpindi from 22 Jan 2010 to 22 Aug 2010. A total of 400 patients undergoing clean surgical procedures were randomly allocated in two equal groups, A and B by lottery method. In group A, simple gauze dressing was applied after clean surgical procedures while in group B hydrocolloid dressing was used. On 7[th] post operative day, patients were observed for presence of infection. Mean age of sample was 42.08 +/- 11.112 years. In group A out of 200 Patients, 14[7.0%] while in group B 10[5%] developed infection postoperatively [p=0.709]. There is no difference in the rate of infection when using a gauze dressing or a hydrocolloid dressing after clean surgical procedure