Evaluation of a hydrocolloid dressing.

A hydrocolloid dressing was compared to adhesive skin tapes on children's postoperative wounds. A total of 170 children of varying ages were randomised in two parallel groups, in nine centres of plastic, thoracic, gastrointestinal, urogenital and orthopaedic surgery. Skin closure was satisfactory in both groups, with 76 (89.4%) healthy closures without dehiscence in the hydrocolloid group and 81(95.3%) in the control group; a relationship was found between partial closures/dehiscence and the type of surgical procedure. No product-related maceration, infection or adverse event was reported during the study and both groups showed very satisfactory cosmetic results.